Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) as Overlooked Predators of Anurans in the Neotropics

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  Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) as Overlooked Predators of Anurans in the Neotropics ABSTRACT Arthropods are traditionally viewed as invertebrate prey and as predators of other invertebrates, whereas vertebrates are typically considered their predators. However, this paradigm has increasingly been challenged, particularly among arachnids. While several invertebrates are well documented as frog predators, the capacity of particular groups, such as harvestmen (Opiliones), to prey on vertebrates has remained largely anecdotal. Here we report novel field observations of anuran predation by multiple Cranaidae harvestman species across several Neotropical localities. These records include the active capture and consumption of live frogs, demonstrating their role as opportunistic mesopredators. Our findings expand current knowledge of Opiliones ecology by confirming that vertebrate predation occurs across multiple species and localities. Our results suggest that vertebrate consumption...

TAXONOMY, MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY AND DISTRIBUTION OF ACTINOPUS PERTY, 1833 (ARANEAE: ACTINOPODIDAE) IN CENTRAL ARGENTINA

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TAXONOMY, MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY AND DISTRIBUTION OF ACTINOPUS PERTY, 1833 (ARANEAE: ACTINOPODIDAE) IN CENTRAL ARGENTINA

Abstract

Actinopus comprises 98 species of trapdoor spiders endemic to the Neotropic region. In southwestern Buenos Aires, Argentina, four species are recorded: Actinopus casuhati Ríos-tamayo & Goloboff, 2018, A. laventana Miglio, Pérez-Miles & Bonaldo, 2020, A. patagonia Ríos-tamayo & Goloboff, 2018, and A. puelche Ríos-tamayo & Goloboff, 2018; females of A. puelche are unknown. By the examination of Actinopus from Bahía Blanca district, southwestern Buenos Aires province, we found specimens that do not fit within any of the known species. Thus, we implemented an integrative approach combining molecular and morphological evidence to describe, diagnose and illustrate Actinopus obrerografico sp. nov. In addition, we describe for the first time the female of A. puelche. We also present new distributional records for A. patagonia and A. puelche. Males of A. obrerografico sp. nov. can be distinguished by having red tarsi and metatarsi, and bulb with well developed keels and apophysis, and no denticles along the inferior prolateral keel; females, can be distinguished by the spermathecae, bilobed with external lobe well developed and an internal basal proejection. Females of A. puelche can be distinguished by having a spermathecae with slight marked lobes. A first molecular phylogeny using Maximum likelihood yielded Actinopus as monophyletic, A. obrerografico sp. nov. as a distinct clade and A. puelche more related to the remaining Argentinean species despite living in sympatry with A. obrerografico sp. nov.
Micaela, N., Daniela, S., & Nelson, F. (2025). TAXONOMY, MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY AND DISTRIBUTION OF ACTINOPUS PERTY, 1833 (ARANEAE: ACTINOPODIDAE) IN CENTRAL ARGENTINA. Zoologischer Anzeiger. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.007