Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

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  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

Scorpions in urbanized landscapes: influence of habitat type and landscape on body condition, diversity and functional traits in a Neotropical submontane forest

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Scorpions in urbanized landscapes: influence of habitat type and landscape on body condition, diversity and functional traits in a Neotropical submontane forest

Abstract

The local filtering process exerts a significant influence on the evolution of species traits. Furthermore, the spatial configuration of the landscape may also exert an influence on the assembly of traits within communities. It is of paramount importance to comprehend the impact of human-induced alterations to tropical forest habitats and land cover on the diversity, fitness, and functional characteristics of native fauna, as this knowledge is fundamental to the field of conservation biology. In this study, we investigate the impact of different habitats and land cover on the abundance, species richness, composition, body condition, and functional traits of the scorpion assemblage in a Neotropical submontane forest region. The scorpions were collected via active search in 60 sampling units distributed evenly among three habitat types: the city core, urban green areas, and forests. A total of 882 specimens were sampled, distributed among five species within two families. The results indicate that, at the habitat level, forests exhibited greater abundance and species richness, and these taxonomic patterns were sensitive to the surrounding land use. Furthermore, the expansion of urban areas in the landscape composition also results in a shift in species composition. Additionally, forest habitats are vital for maintaining higher body condition. Conversely, habitats classified as city core have led to the emergence of traits adapted to urban conditions. It is evident that urban green infrastructure plays a pivotal role in maintaining scorpion biodiversity, even in highly urbanized environments.

Borba Feitosa, M. L., Alvarado, F., Gomes de Lima, H. V., Barbosa de Moura, G. J., & Felipe de Araujo Lira, A. (2025). Scorpions in urbanized landscapes: Influence of habitat type and landscape on body condition, diversity and functional traits in a Neotropical submontane forest. Acta Oecologica, 128, 104087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2025.104087