Insights into the distribution and ecology of the funnelweb spider Macrothele calpeiana in Portugal

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  Insights into the distribution and ecology of the funnelweb spider Macrothele calpeiana in Portugal Abstract Biodiversity surveys are critical to prevent decline and extinction of ill-/unknown species through timely conservation action. This is particularly relevant when the species are neither iconic nor flagships, therefore lessening the potential for accessing conservation means, such as in the case of the mygalomorph spider Macrothele calpeiana. The species is endemic to southern Iberia but its distribution and ecology is barely documented in Portugal. Therefore, we made a comprehensive survey throughout its estimated range in the south of the country. The species is spread unevenly and patchily throughout low mountainous terrain in south/southwest Portugal, preferably along shale/ greywacke/clay roadside banks. It seems rare in the surrounding limestone area to the south and absent from the peneplain to the north. The webs were found in groups averaging 10.0±15.2 webs/site a...

A niche modeling approach to unveil the absence of pycnothelid spiders (Mygalomorphae: Pycnothelidae) in a mountainous grassland of central Argentina

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A niche modeling approach to unveil the absence of pycnothelid spiders (Mygalomorphae: Pycnothelidae) in a mountainous grassland of central Argentina

ABSTRACT

The family Pycnothelidae comprises medium to small-sized spiders that construct silk tubes under stones or logs or dig burrows in open environments. In Argentina, Acanthogonatus centralis Goloboff, 1995 and Stenoterommata platensis Holmberg, 1881 are two species commonly found in central region, associated to the mountainous grasslands or to the La Plata River Basin. The Tandilia mountainous grassland is an extended belt located southeastern Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Although some pycnothelid spiders are distributed close to this mountainous system, they are not recorded in Tandilia. Through niche modeling we attempt to evaluate the influence of bioclimatic variables in shaping the distribution of these species and explore their absence in the mountainous belt under past, present and future climatic conditions. We found that Tandilia is a non-suitable area for the establishment of the populations of these species with the exception of Stenoterommata platensis under a future scenario of climatic change.

Nicoletta, M., & Ferretti, N.. (2025). A niche modeling approach to unveil the absence of pycnothelid spiders (Mygalomorphae: Pycnothelidae) in a mountainous grassland of central Argentina. Iheringia. Série Zoologia, 115, e286369. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4766e286369