Examining ecological niche for six species of whip spider in Colombia

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  Examining ecological niche for six species of whip spider in Colombia  Abstract The conditioning variables for the establishment of Amblypygi populations and their ecological interactions are currently poorly studied. Delving deeper into this can help to conserve this group of short-range distribution species, which are useful as a model in biogeographic research. In this study, we evaluated the distribution and overlapping patterns of ecological niche in six species of amblypygids ( Phrynus araya , P. panche , P. pulchripes , Heterophrynus batesii , H. boterorum , H. cervinus ) in the Andean and Amazonian ecosystems of Colombia, revealing a clear biogeographic segregation driven by environmental gradients: Phrynus species were associated with inter-Andean valleys with high thermal and water seasonality.  While the Heterophrynus occupied more stable and humid conditions of foothills and middle elevations. Overlap analyses showed significant divergence (e.g., D=0.105 b...

Females become adults about ten days earlier than males in a phalangiid harvestman Odiellus aspersus (Opiliones: Eupnoi: Phalangiidae)

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Females become adults about ten days earlier than males in a phalangiid harvestman Odiellus aspersus (Opiliones: Eupnoi: Phalangiidae)

Abstract

The reproductive phenology of a species of phalangiid harvestmen, Odiellus aspersus, was studied at Maruyama Park, Sapporo, Hokkaido, for the difference in adult emergence between males and females. At the timepoint in which 50% of the population had matured to adulthood, more females were represented than males, and adult females developed about 10 days earlier on average than males. There was no difference in adult body size between males that had matured earlier and males that were collected later in the season. This fact would conflict with a plausible hypothesis that males should mature slowly to attain larger body size in this species. Elongation of spermatheca in females of the species may explain the marked difference in the adult emergence in the species, by enhancing sperm priority of the males that copulated with females last.

Nobuo Tsurusaki "Females become adults about ten days earlier than males in a phalangiid harvestman Odiellus aspersus (Opiliones: Eupnoi: Phalangiidae)," The Journal of Arachnology, 53(1), 8-12, (19 May 2025) https://doi.org/10.1636/JoA-S-23-025