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

  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...

Current challenges and preliminary morphological reassessment of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae)

 


Current challenges and preliminary morphological reassessment of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae)

Abstract


The genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China is preliminarily revised on a morphological basis, derived from the available literature and newly examined specimens. The robustness of several commonly applied species-level diagnostic criteria are evaluated. Ten species are provisionally recognized for China, including one new morphospecies, Chaerilus herta sp. n., described from 9 females, 40 males, and 2 juvenile females collected in Mêdog County. The current study only reveals and resolves several most elementary issues in the taxonomy of Chinese Chaerilus. Further molecular investigations are warranted until topotypes of certain species become available.


Tang, V. 2025 . Current challenges and preliminary morphological reassessment of the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877 in China (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae). Euscorpius, No. 406: 1-89. https://mds.marshall.edu/euscorpius/vol2025/iss406/1/