Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia

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  Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia Abstract Tarantulas play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating insect populations. However, little is known about the soil preferences and burrow structures of tarantulas in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the soil preference as well as the burrow structure of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  from Penang Island. The soil characteristics of the soil samples collected around the burrows of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  (n = 30) and  Chilobrachys andersoni  (n = 30) were determined using soil texture analysis. The measurements and burrow structures from adults and juveniles of  Coremiocnemis cunciularia  and  Chilobrachys andersoni  were determined. It was revealed that the moisture content and clay percentage in the soil samples around burrows of  Chilobrachys anderso...

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