The first known troglomorphic, eyeless spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): Troglopompilus miracaecatus gen. et sp. nov. from the Nullarbor Caves, Western Australia

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  The first known troglomorphic, eyeless spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): Troglopompilus miracaecatus gen. et sp. nov. from the Nullarbor Caves, Western Australia Abstract Surveys of caves of the Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia, revealed a remarkable assemblage of exceptionally well-preserved mummified arthropods, comprising Araneae, Blattodea, Coleoptera and Chilopoda, all of which exhibit high levels of troglomorphism, lacking eyes and showing a number of other adaptations. Of note, this arthropod assemblage also included a pompilid wasp which is eyeless and brachypterous and unlike any member of the family known globally. Here, we describe this amazing wasp as  Troglopompilus miracaecatus   gen.  et  sp. nov. , and discuss its remarkable morphology and possible affinities and biology. Rodriguez, J., Austin, A. D., & Marsh, J. R. (2026). The first known troglomorphic, eyeless spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): Troglopompilus miracaecatus gen. ...

New Record of Anapistula (Gertsch 1941) (Araneae: Symphytognathidae) in Europe with the description of a new species

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New Record of Anapistula (Gertsch 1941) (Araneae: Symphytognathidae) in Europe with the description of a new species

Abstract

A new species of the genus Anapistula Gertsch, 1941, A. delrosalae sp. nov., is described, marking the second record of the family Symphytognathidae in Europe. The new species has, to date, only been found in the Cueva de Nerja, Málaga (Spain). Based on the specimens collected, A. delrosalae sp. nov. appears to be present throughout the cave, from the Tourist Galleries to the New Galleries. Detection of the species is challenging due to its small size, which has likely caused it to go unnoticed until now. The new species is based on both somatic and genitalic morphological characters of females. The male is still unknown. The diagnostic characteristics that have been useful in distinguishing the new species from the already known Anapistula ataecina Cardoso & Scharff, 2009, native to the Frade cave system, Lisbon, Portugal, are discussed.

Pertegal, C. & Barranco, P. (2025). New record of Anapistula (Gertsch 1941) (Araneae: Symphytognathidae) in Europe with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 5590(2): 275-284. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5590.2.7; https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5590.2.7