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'...

Phenology of Androctonus australis (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Sahara Desert of Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

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Phenology of Androctonus australis (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Sahara Desert of Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Abstract

With its enormous geographical extent and various ecosystems, Algeria has more than 54 species of scorpions. Among these species, Androctonus australis (Linnaeus, 1758) is the species with the highest medical importance. This study particularly concerned this species' seasonal variation and developmental stages, which were collected from various environments in the Sahara Desert of Algeria. The present study focuses on the annual activity of scorpions (phenology) of A. australis in the region of Ghardaïa. Twelve nocturnal outings at mid-month during 2022 made it possible to collect 208 scorpions. Results allowed us to define the favorable mating season of A. australis that occurs during the autumn period (15th November to 10th August) when climatic conditions are favorable for courtship, which means temperatures relatively low (around 18°C) and winds blowing at a regular speed and constant direction. We also noted that the species develops a winter diapause lasting from 5 to 6 months, covering the whole winter season and a few weeks of spring. During spring and summer, as a result of parturition, a huge number of juveniles are observed.  


Zineb, Souilem & Bissati, Samia & Abdelwahab, Chedad & Linda, Rouari & Sadine, Salah Eddine. (2024). Phenology of Androctonus australis (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Sahara Desert of Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Biharean Biologist. 18. 83-89.