Herpetological misinformation and sensationalism: media framing on biological and ecological aspects of the golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis)

Posted by
  Herpetological misinformation and sensationalism: media framing on biological and ecological aspects of the golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) Abstract The internet is currently one of the most important means of communication, which may include the circulation of misinformation. Snakes have always been a target of the sensationalist media, being pictured as scary and aggressive animals to be killed indiscriminately by humans. Such fear based on misinformation may compromise species conservation. Here, we address the spread of misinformation about Bothrops insularis and Queimada Grande Island in digital media, highlighting the negative impact on public perception and species conservation. The analysis of 230 online sources revealed that approximately 94% of them contained false information, many using sensationalist language, especially regarding the toxicity of the venom and the population density of the snake, as well as bringing contents that did not align with scientific d...

Declining freshwater habitats in Greenland may shift diets of the ubiquitous wolf spider Pardosa glacialis

Posted by

 

Declining freshwater habitats in Greenland may shift diets of the ubiquitous wolf spider Pardosa glacialis


Abstract

Freshwater habitats in Arctic landscapes provide essential food resources to predaceous terrestrial fauna. However, climate change threatens the continuation of aquatic resources as increased temperatures prompt widespread drying. We investigated how declines in surface waters in the Arctic may have implications for the diets of the wolf spider Pardosa glacialis (Araneae: Lycosidae), an abundant top predator in western Greenland known to consume both aquatic and terrestrial prey. We estimated the abundance of ground-dwelling prey taxa near and far from shallow ponds to compare resource availability for P. glacialis. We also measured the stable isotopes ratios of carbon and nitrogen of potential prey taxa and used linear mixing models to estimate the relative proportions of aquatic and terrestrial prey in the diets of P. glacialis collected near ponds versus drier, upland locations. Overall, near ponds there was a 3.7 times greater abundance of ground-dwelling organisms compared to locations far from ponds. Near ponds, depleted δ13C values of P. glacialis compared to the upland locations were explained by the consumption of aquatic insects, which were relatively depleted in 13C compared to terrestrial ground-dwelling and canopy taxa. Our linear mixing model indicated that the mean relative contribution of aquatic taxa to the diets of P. glacialis at pond locations was ~ 23% versus ~ 0% at upland locations, though these results were accompanied by significant uncertainty. Our results emphasize the importance of Arctic ponds in providing habitat to potential prey of terrestrial predators. We highlight how climate change, and the continued disappearance of aquatic habitats, could disrupt critical linkages between aquatic insects and terrestrial predators.

Bliska, H.M., DeSiervo, M.H., Virginia, R.A. et al. Declining freshwater habitats in Greenland may shift diets of the ubiquitous wolf spider Pardosa glacialis. Polar Biol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-024-03259-4