First documented cases of invertebrate predation by greater grisons (Galictis vittata)

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  First documented cases of invertebrate predation by greater grisons (Galictis vittata) Abstract  We report the first documented predation of invertebrates by greater grisons (Galictis vittata) based on camera-trap footage from a mineral lick in Southeastern Peru. Two adult individuals were recorded capturing and consuming large arachnids, likely whip spiders (Amblypygi), from a natural cavity. One grison visibly removed and discarded part of the prey prior to ingestion, suggesting selective handling to reduce risk from defensive structures. These observations extend the known cavity-focused foraging behavior of G. vittata and indicate that amblypygids may represent an underreported but regular prey item in tropical habitats. Pottie, Sam, y Adrian Forsyth. 2026. «Primeros Registros Documentados De depredación De Invertebrados Por El grisón (Galictis Vittata)». Mammalogy Notes 12 (2), 608. https://doi.org/10.47603/mano.v12n2.608 .

Lycosidae Abundance and Diversity Across Lawn and Leaf Litter Substrate

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Lycosidae Abundance and Diversity Across Lawn and Leaf Litter Substrate

Abstract


Significant knowledge gaps exist in how land-cover impacts ground-hunting spider populations. To fill these gaps, this study investigates a common family of ground-hunting spiders, Lycosidae, to determine differences in their abundance and diversity in deciduous leaf litter and managed turfgrass (lawn). The study was conducted within a forested ecosystem at Virginia Commonwealth University's Rice Rivers Center in Charles City County, Virginia. I placed 10 belt transects (1m x 20m) on lawn substrate and 10 identical transects in deciduous forest leaf litter substrate. I performed repeated visual census via eyeshine and manual capture of up to three individuals per transect per survey in the July and August of 2023. There was significant difference in abundance between lawn and leaf litter transects, with higher average abundance in leaf litter transects (p = 0.01). There was also significant difference in total Lycosid abundance between survey periods (chi-squared = 23.6, df = 3, p = 2.9e-05). There were no significant differences in diversity (Shannon Diversity Index; W = 68 and p = 0.18); however, several species had significant associations with lawn or leaf litter substrate.These findings can aid in the understanding of human land management on a group of understudied, but abundant and ecologically vital arthropod predators, and suggests further research into the habitat preferences of Lycosid spiders is needed.


Lockett, Sage O. and Albrecht-Mallinger, Dan, "Lycosidae Abundance and Diversity Across Lawn and Leaf

Litter Substrate" (2024). Undergraduate Research Posters. Poster 435. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/435