Taxonomic revision of the Central and West African eumenophorine tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Eumenophorinae)

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  Taxonomic revision of the Central and West African eumenophorine tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Eumenophorinae) Abstract A continent-wide revision of the African theraphosid genera Anoploscelus Pocock, 1897, Batesiella Pocock, 1903, Eumenophorus Pocock, 1897, Loxomphalia Simon, 1889, the newly revalidated Harpaxotheria Simon, 1889 gen. rest., Phoneyusa Karsch, 1884, and Hysterocrates Simon, 1892 is pre sented. The monotypic genus Loxophobema Simon, 1907 and its type species L. rutilata (Simon, 1907) are proposed as nomina dubia. Similarly, Myostola occidentalis (Lucas, 1858) and its monotypic genus Myostola Simon, 1903 are proposed as nomina dubia. Harpaxotheria gabonica (Simon, 1889) is proposed as a nomen dubium. Eumenophorus stridulantissimus (Strand, 1907), Hysterocrates affinis Strand, 1907, Hysterocrates affinis angusticeps Strand, 1907, Hysterocrates haasi Strand, 1906, Hysterocrates spellenbergi Strand, 1906, Hysterocrates vosseleri Strand, 1906, Harpaxotheria nigrov...

Flexible foraging and mating behaviours in an orb weaver

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Flexible foraging and mating behaviours in an orb weaver

Abstract


The evolution of the orb web was associated with a major radiation in spider diversity. Orb webs evolved for prey capture, and they also play important roles in courtship and mating. However, the construction and use of orb webs has associated costs, and the modification and loss of orb webs have evolved multiple times. While variation between species is evident, such as reductions or loss of the orb web for foraging, this kind of variation is rarely detailed within species. Here, I describe laboratory observations of foraging and mating without an orb web in a typical orb-weaving spider, the Australian garden orb weaver (hortophora biapicata). The behavioural range observed here shows the natural variation in these traits, on which selection might act to drive the reduction or loss of orb webs. Further investigation of these rare and unusual behaviours can help us understand the function and origin of important traits associated with the orb web, including both its construction and use, and how these traits can change over evolutionary time.

Nikolas J. Willmott "Flexible foraging and mating behaviours in an orb weaver," Arachnology 19(7), 976-981, (8 March 2024). https://doi.org/10.13156/arac.2024.19.7.976