On a new genus of dwarf tarantulas (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) endemic from Peru: evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny, with description of three new species

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  On a new genus of dwarf tarantulas ( Araneae : Mygalomorphae : Theraphosidae ) endemic from Peru: evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny, with description of three new species Abstract Recent field campaigns conducted in Peru along with the examination of museum specimens allowed us to identify small tarantulas that do not fit with any known Theraphosidae genera. Morphology and additional molecular evidence from the mitochondrial gene COI led us to propose Kiskalla gen. nov . from southern Peru, at Puno region. Three new species of Kiskalla gen. nov . ( K. ignacioi sp. nov ., K. yeisoni sp. nov . and K. zukuapasanka sp. nov .) are herein described, diagnosed and illustrated. Kiskalla gen. nov . differs from the known Theraphosinae genera in the presence of lateral stripes on the abdomen and a small dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch of type III urticating setae, presence of a large number of spines on all legs, short and stout setae on the dorsal metatarsi encirc...

When the predator becomes the prey: new records of intraguild predation among Central American and Caribbean arachnids (Arachnida: Amblypygi, Araneae, Scorpiones)

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When the predator becomes the prey: new records of intraguild predation among Central American and Caribbean arachnids (Arachnida: Amblypygi, Araneae, Scorpiones)


ABSTRACT


Intraguild predation occurs when an organism preys on a competitor. This ecological interaction can have considerable consequences on the population dynamics of predators and indirectly affect their prey. In arachnids, it is a quite common phenomenon, but it has been poorly documented in the Neotropical region. Here, we present records of 16 species feeding on other 14 species of arachnids. The most common families that acted as predators were Buthidae (Scorpiones) and Salticidae (Araneae), while the most common prey were members of the families Araneidae and Ctenidae (Araneae). In our survey, Drake Bay, in Costa Rica, is overrepresented due to years of systematic observations by two of the coauthors.

Alex M. Cubas-Rodríguez, Darko D. Cotoras, Andrés Taucare‐Ríos, Luis F. de Armas, Antonio D. Brescovit, Gianfranco Gómez & Tracie L. Stice (09 Jul 2024): When the predator becomes the prey: new records of intraguild predation among Central American and Caribbean arachnids (Arachnida: Amblypygi, Araneae, Scorpiones), Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 
DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2024.2353007