First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae

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  First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae Abstract Flies of the genus Megaselia Rondani, 1856 exhibit exceptional ecological flexibility, with certain species acting as facultative parasites. This study presents the first documented cases of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) infesting captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae, Ceratogyrus darlingi Pocock, 1897 and Psalmopoeus irminia Saager, 1994) in terrarium settings. Our observations demonstrate that M . abdita colonise artificial habitats and exploit spider hosts similarly to Megaselia scalaris . Citation: Szymański, D.M., Szymański, D., Kłonowski, P. (2026). First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Dipteron, 42, 25-29. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23137389

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.