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

The remarkable diversity of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 with the description of one more new species (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae)

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The remarkable diversity of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 with the description of one more new species (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae)

Abstract 

One more new species of fossil scorpion belonging to the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 is described from Early Cretaceous Burmite. The description of this new species confirms once again the very speciose character of this genus. The new species presents some morphological particularities such as a total absence of eyes, attesting therefore the existence of an important morphological variability within Chaerilobuthus.

Lourenço W. R. & Velten J., 2024. – The remarkable diversity of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 with the description of one more new species (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae). Faunitaxys, 12(56): 1 – 5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.57800/faunitaxys-12(56)