Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

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  Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae) Abstract A new scorpion species, Cicileus derradji sp. nov., is described from Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province, southern Algeria. The description is based on an adult male holotype, an adult female paratype and a juvenile specimen, and is supported by detailed morphological analyses, including colouration, morphometrics, carination patterns and trichobothrial arrangement. This discovery extends the known distribution of the genus Cicileus approximately 500 km southwestward within Algeria. With the addition of this species, the number of recognised species in the genus increases to six. The new species is compared with all previously known species of Cicileus , and detailed colour photographs, including images taken under ultraviolet illumination, are provided. Derradj, L., Aydın Yağmur, E., Benali, N., & Bikada, M. (2026). Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from south...

Enclosure design can improve captive husbandry of Pterinochilus murinus (Theraphosidae) by influencing defensive behaviour

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Enclosure design can improve captive husbandry of Pterinochilus murinus (Theraphosidae) by influencing defensive behaviour

Abstract

Tarantulas (Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869) are typically large-bodied spiders that are frequently kept in captivity as pets in private collections, exhibits in public collections (e.g. zoos), and study animals in research collections. Nevertheless, much of the information on captive maintenance of tarantulas is based on trial-and-error approaches, such that folklore husbandry rather than evidence-based husbandry is typical. In addition to the spider's welfare, some species also impose safety considerations for keepers due to aggressive defensive behaviours that include biting, particularly many Old World tarantulas. The orange baboon tarantula (Pterinochilus murinus Pocock, 1897) is a very commonly kept African species of harpactirine tarantula which is successfully maintained in diverse enclosure designs including arboreal, terrestrial, and fossorial setups. Here, we investigated experimentally how different captive enclosure designs influence defensive behaviour in P. murinus, and whether it is possible to improve both tarantula welfare and keeper safety via husbandry methods. We show that spiders were quicker to flee when kept in arboreal enclosures, but more quickly resorted to aggressive defensive behaviours (rearing and biting) when kept in terrestrial enclosures. Keeping this species in fossorial enclosure designs resulted in a relatively low propensity to flee, rear, and bite, suggesting that this design might be optimal for captive P. murinus welfare and keeper safety.

Shahin Uddin, Kevin Arbuckle "Enclosure design can improve captive husbandry of Pterinochilus murinus (Theraphosidae) by influencing defensive behaviour," Arachnology, 20(1), 25-30, (25 March 2025)