First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae

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  First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae Abstract Flies of the genus Megaselia Rondani, 1856 exhibit exceptional ecological flexibility, with certain species acting as facultative parasites. This study presents the first documented cases of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) infesting captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae, Ceratogyrus darlingi Pocock, 1897 and Psalmopoeus irminia Saager, 1994) in terrarium settings. Our observations demonstrate that M . abdita colonise artificial habitats and exploit spider hosts similarly to Megaselia scalaris . Citation: Szymański, D.M., Szymański, D., Kłonowski, P. (2026). First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Dipteron, 42, 25-29. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23137389

Two new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Kwonkan (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) from the Kimberley region of Western Australia

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Two new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Kwonkan (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) from the Kimberley region of Western Australia

Abstract

The trapdoor spider genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 (Anamidae) currently contains twelve species. Members of the genus are unusual among the Anamidae in modifying their burrow entrances with turrets and collars. The genus is widespread throughout the Australian arid zone and many species remain to be described, particularly in Western Australia. Here, we describe Kwonkan fluctellus sp. nov. and Kwonkan nemoralis sp. nov. from the Northern Kimberley bioregion. All specimens of the latter species were collected on a Bush Blitz expedition in 2022. These represent the first species of the genus to be described from northern Australia.

Wilson JD, Rix MR & Harvey MS (2025). Two new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Kwonkan (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Taxonomy 88: 1–7. doi: https://doi.org/10.54102/ajt.voay9