Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia

Posted by
  Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia Abstract Tarantulas play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating insect populations. However, little is known about the soil preferences and burrow structures of tarantulas in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the soil preference as well as the burrow structure of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  from Penang Island. The soil characteristics of the soil samples collected around the burrows of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  (n = 30) and  Chilobrachys andersoni  (n = 30) were determined using soil texture analysis. The measurements and burrow structures from adults and juveniles of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  were determined. It was revealed that the moisture content and clay percentage in the soil samples around burrows of  Chilobrachys anderso...

Abdominal pattern polymorphism and distribution of the giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793) (Araneae: Araneidae), in the Philippines

Posted by

 


Abdominal pattern polymorphism and distribution of the giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793) (Araneae: Araneidae), in the Philippines

Abstract 
The giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793), is notable for its color polymorphism. Here, we report the pattern polymorphism of this species. A Nephila species with unusual abdominal patterning from the Philippines is confirmed herein as N. pilipes based on its somatic structures and genitalia. The abdominal pattern consists of rows of subquadrate yellow spots on the dorsum, which is distinct from the typical longitudinal yellow stripes in N. pilipes. We provided the distribution of the spotted variant based on citizen science data on the internet, suggesting that this particular variation may be regionally endemic in the Philippines. Keywords: aposematism, arachnids, citizen science, intraspecific variation, Nephilinae. 


Acuña, Darrell & Maglangit, Erl Pfian & Santiago, Myla & Guevarra Jr, Leonardo. (2025). Abdominal pattern polymorphism and distribution of the giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793) (Araneae: Araneidae), in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology. 18. AZ-BB. 10.26757/pjsb202418006.