Sex Role–Dependent Behavioral and Architectural Divergence in a Jumping Spider

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  Sex Role–Dependent Behavioral and Architectural Divergence in a Jumping Spider ABSTRACT Sex differences in behavior and functional traits are often attributed to differences in mating effort intensity, but the role of sex-specific parental demands remains poorly understood. Using the jumping spider Toxeus maxillosus —where males engage in mate searching and courtship without providing parental care, while females provide extended maternal care from egg attendance to offspring maturity (around 3 months)—we conducted an exploratory investigation into whether these distinct selective pressures led to divergence in spatial behaviors and nest architecture. Results revealed that males and females showed equivalent accuracy, latency, and learning-related performance in both a route-planning test under water stress and a color-pattern associative memory task. In contrast, during nest-construction assays, females built complex, multi-entrance structures that closely matched the container'...

Notes on a type specimen of Poecilotheria Simon, 1885 from India (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

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Notes on a type specimen of Poecilotheria Simon, 1885 from India (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

Sherwood (2019) synonymised the Indian species Poecilotheria chaojii Mirza, Sanap & Bhosale, 2014 with P. tigrinawesseli Smith, 2006 based on the morphology of the ventral leg markings (VLM) and the taxonomic insignificance of differences in the number of maxillary tubercles. She also stated: “Further photographs (requested) of the P. chaojii holotype were unavailable as the specimen has not yet been deposited in the Bombay Natural History Society, despite being assigned an accession number.” (Sherwood, 2019: 19), having attempted via email to obtain photographs and information about the holotype several times from Indian colleagues. In early 2024, the junior author (RT) was able to visit the collections of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and examine spider types, also finding that of P. chaojii present. At the request of the senior author (DS), photographs were taken of the holotype to gather information previously not available to her. The purpose of this note is to discuss, and present high-quality photographs of, the holotype, and inform colleagues that it is deposited in BNHS.

Sherwood, Danniella & Tripathi, Rishikesh. (2024). Notes on a type specimen of Poecilotheria Simon, 1885 from India (Araneae: Theraphosidae). 13. Newsletter of the British Arachnological Society No. 160, Summer 2024