Hidden in the woods: A new species of Hexura (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Antrodiaetidae) from a highly restricted range in Idaho

Posted by
  Hidden in the woods: A new species of Hexura (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Antrodiaetidae) from a highly restricted range in Idaho Abstract A new species of Hexura Simon, 1885 is described from a very restricted geographic range in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, 500 km east of the previously known distribution of the genus in the Coastal Ranges and western Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. This work provides the first taxonomic information for this group in almost 50 years, including a phylogenomic framework for the genus within the mygalomorph superfamily Atypoidea , based on Ultraconserved elements ( UCEs ). Hexura vandal sp. nov . can be distinguished from the other two described species by a combination of morphological, molecular, and geographic characteristics. Lastly, we discuss the need for conservation actions to secure the survival of the species. Calatayud-Mascarell A, Briggs EJ, Hamilton CA (2026) Hidden in the woods: A new species of Hexura (Araneae, Mygalomo...

First record of Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935, Western Black Widow (Araneae, Theridiidae), in Slovakia

Posted by

 


First record of Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935, Western Black Widow (Araneae, Theridiidae), in Slovakia

Abstract

An alien spider species, Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935, is reported from Slovakia for the first time. The spider was accidentally transported to northern Slovakia with goods, and it was found in synanthropic habitat. This record confirms the route through which spiders of the genus Latrodectus are imported into Europe. Characteristic features, along with photographs of the habitus and copulatory organs, are presented.

Purgat P, Švecová L (2025) First record of Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935, Western Black Widow (Araneae, Theridiidae), in Slovakia. Check List 21(1): 107-115. https://doi.org/10.15560/21.1.107