The neonicotinoid imidacloprid impairs the predatory performance and functional response of the jumping spider Helpis minitabunda (Araneae, Salticidae)

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  The neonicotinoid imidacloprid impairs the predatory performance and functional response of the jumping spider Helpis minitabunda (Araneae, Salticidae) Abstract The neonicotinoid imidacloprid can cause lethal and sublethal effects in non-target organisms, including impaired behavior, reduced fertility, disrupted locomotion, and reduced predatory performance in arthropods. Spiders are among the most abundant arthropod predators in terrestrial ecosystems, including agricultural ecosystems, yet the effects of neonicotinoids on the predatory function of jumping spiders remain poorly understood. The functional response of a predator describes how predation rates change with prey density and is key to understanding predator–prey dynamics. We tested whether acute exposure to a commercial formulation of imidacloprid at field-recommended concentrations alters the functional response of the Aussie bronze jumping spider, Helpis minitabunda (L. Koch, 1880). We compared the predation of treat...

Contribution to the zodariid spider fauna (Araneae: Zodariidae) of Algeria

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Contribution to the zodariid spider fauna (Araneae: Zodariidae) of Algeria

ABSTRACT

Within the spider family Zodariidae, only four of the 90 recognised genera have been recorded from Algeria, encompassing a total of 19 species. In this study, we describe and illustrate a new species, Zodarion bifidum sp. n. (♂), from Biskra Province, northern Algeria. Additionally, we provide the first descriptions of the males of Z. bicoloripes (Denis) and Z. dispar Denis. Finally, we document the first records of Z. cesari Pekár and Acanthinozodium cirrisulcatum Denis from Algeria, and propose the synonymisation of Z. punicum Denis syn. n. with Z. pusio Simon.

Shafaie, S., Pekár, S., Korba, J., Doumandji, S., & Berretima, W. (2025). Contribution to the zodariid spider fauna (Araneae: Zodariidae) of Algeria. Journal of Natural History, 59(25–28), 1895–1916. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2501589