Living underground: first record of myrmecophily in a species of tarantula (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae: Catumiri Guadanucci, 2004)

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  Living underground: first record of myrmecophily in a species of tarantula (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae: Catumiri Guadanucci, 2004) Abstract Myrmecophily is widespread among arthropods but remains poorly documented in spiders, particularly in Mygalomorphae. Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) have not previously been shown to form true myrmecophilous associations, with existing records limited to anecdotal observations. Here, we provide the first robust evidence of myrmecophily in a tarantula, based on combined field and experimental data. Fieldwork in the Ñacuñán Biosphere Reserve (Monte Desert, Argentina) revealed that individuals of a species of Catumiri Guadanucci 2004 inhabit nests of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex lobicornis Emery 1887. Of 45 excavated nests, 16 (35.5%) contained spiders, with a total of 69 individuals recorded. The presence of multiple developmental stages, including early instars cohabiting with adult females, indicates that reproduction and early development ...

Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXXV. Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) (Buthidae)

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Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXXV. Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) (Buthidae)

Abstract


A new species Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) is described. Combination of two characters, pectine teeth number 56–59 in both sexes and pedipalp chela length/ width ratio 3.65 in male and 5.47 in female differ P. starhai sp. n. from all other species in the region. Included is also a map of distribution of Parabuthus species in the Horn of Africa.

Kovařík, F. 2025 . Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XXXV. Parabuthus starhai sp. n. from Somalia (Puntland) (Buthidae). Euscorpius, No. 405: 1-10. https://mds.marshall.edu/euscorpius/vol2025/iss405/1/