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

Behavioral ecology of the Colorado brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi): Activities displayed around the burrow through juvenile group dispersal

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Behavioral ecology of the Colorado brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi): Activities displayed around the burrow through juvenile group dispersal  (Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertation)


Abstract


The life history strategy of the Colorado brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) typically includes males spatially scattering in search for a female mate in the fall, followed by female attendance of fertilized eggs the following summer. Here, I highlighted aspects associated with this female parental care. Specifically, I compared the activities of maternal (egg-attending) tarantulas to their non-maternal (not egg-attending) counterparts, as this may be a costly time for these egg-attending individuals. I concluded that maternal individuals tended to show reduced activity at the burrow entrance, however; these, results were significant in only one comparison. After weeks of this parental care, juveniles will emerge from their silk egg casing before they disperse from the natal site. In the additional study reported in Chapter 5, I describe the first days post-emergence and, ultimately, the group dispersal processes of juveniles. This work provides foundational knowledge towards these particularly understudied aspects of tarantula biology.


Allendorfer, Bradley, "Behavioral ecology of the Colorado brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi): Activities displayed around the burrow through juvenile group dispersal" (2024). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 1261.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1261