Herpetological misinformation and sensationalism: media framing on biological and ecological aspects of the golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis)

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  Herpetological misinformation and sensationalism: media framing on biological and ecological aspects of the golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) Abstract The internet is currently one of the most important means of communication, which may include the circulation of misinformation. Snakes have always been a target of the sensationalist media, being pictured as scary and aggressive animals to be killed indiscriminately by humans. Such fear based on misinformation may compromise species conservation. Here, we address the spread of misinformation about Bothrops insularis and Queimada Grande Island in digital media, highlighting the negative impact on public perception and species conservation. The analysis of 230 online sources revealed that approximately 94% of them contained false information, many using sensationalist language, especially regarding the toxicity of the venom and the population density of the snake, as well as bringing contents that did not align with scientific d...

New data on the huntsman spiders (Araneae, Sparassidae) of China

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New data on the huntsman spiders (Araneae, Sparassidae) of China

Abstract

Background

Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872 is the tenth largest family of Araneae, with 11 genera and 288 species known in China.

New information

In the current paper, four newly-recorded species from China are provided: Heteropoda acris Korai & Jäger, 2024, Olios sericeus (Kroneberg, 1875), O. suung Jäger, 2012 and Rhitymna plana Jäger, 2003, of which O. sericeus is re-described, based on specimens collected from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Additionally, a new Thelcticopis species, T. lini sp. nov., is described.

Keywords

new species, new records, biodiversity, taxonomy, morphology

Introduction

The spider family Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872 is well-known for its large size and ferocious habits. As the tenth-largest family of Araneae, Sparassidae contains 1529 species belonging to 98 genera worldwide (World Spider Catalog 2025). Currently, 11 genera and 288 species are recorded in China. Most Chinese genera and species are distributed in southern China, except for Eusparassus Simon, 1903 and Micrommata Latreille, 1804 from north-western China (Hu and Fu 1985, Song et al. 1999, Jäger 2008, Sun et al. 2011, Quan and Liu 2012, Zhong and Liu 2014, Ding et al. 2019, Zhong et al. 2019, Zhang et al. 2023, Hu and Liu 2024, Lin 2024, Zhang et al. 2024). During the examination of sparassid specimens collected from China, four species newly recorded in China and one new species belonging to the genus Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884 were identified. The aims of the current paper are to provide photos of the newly-recorded species and to describe a new Thelcticopis species from China.

Hu C, Zhang H, Zhong Y (2025) New data on the huntsman spiders (Araneae, Sparassidae) of China. Biodiversity Data Journal 13: e153724. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e153724