Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia

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  Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia Abstract Tarantulas play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating insect populations. However, little is known about the soil preferences and burrow structures of tarantulas in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the soil preference as well as the burrow structure of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  from Penang Island. The soil characteristics of the soil samples collected around the burrows of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  (n = 30) and  Chilobrachys andersoni  (n = 30) were determined using soil texture analysis. The measurements and burrow structures from adults and juveniles of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  were determined. It was revealed that the moisture content and clay percentage in the soil samples around burrows of  Chilobrachys anderso...

David and Goliath: on the pseudoscorpions of Ascension Island, including the world’s largest, Garypus titanius Beier, 1961, and a new, minute, Neocheiridium Beier, 1932 (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)

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David and Goliath: on the pseudoscorpions of Ascension Island, including the world’s largest, Garypus titanius Beier, 1961, and a new, minute, Neocheiridium Beier, 1932 (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)

Abstract 

An examination of Pseudoscorpiones de Geer, 1778 material, new and old, from Ascension Island – one of the world’s most remote islands – revealed six endemic species. Four are previously known from the island: Apocheiridium cavicola Mahnert, 1993, Garypus titanius Beier, 1961, Stenowithius duffeyi Beier, 1961, and Withius ascensionis (Beier, 1961), we provide new faunistic records of all these species. Garypus titanius is the world’s largest pseudoscorpion. Two new species are described, one of the world’s largest and one of the smallest, respectively: Garypus ellickae Sherwood, Grignet, Harvey, Sharp, Wilkins, M. Ashmole & P. Ashmole sp. nov. and Neocheiridium ashmoleorum Sherwood, Grignet, Harvey, Sharp & Wilkins sp. nov.

Sherwood, Danniella & Grignet, Virginie & Sharp, Adam. (2024). David and Goliath: on the pseudoscorpions of Ascension Island, including the world’s largest, Garypus titanius Beier, 1961, and a new, minute, Neocheiridium Beier, 1932 (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones). Natura Somogyiensis. 42. 131-150. 10.24394/NatSom.2024.42.131.