DNA barcoding of scorpions from Kosovo, with the first record of Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)

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  DNA barcoding of scorpions from Kosovo, with the first record of Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) ABSTRACT This study presents DNA barcoding data for Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) and Euscorpius hadzii Caporiacco. Barcode sequences were compared with publicly available reference data to support species identification, together with the evaluation of diagnostic morphological characters. Alpiscorpius dinaricus is recorded from Kosovo for the first time, representing a new national record and contributing to the knowledge of euscorpiid diversity in the region. Diagnostic illustrations of A. dinaricus are provided to facilitate reliable identification and to support future faunistic, taxonomic, and biogeographic studies. Euscorpius hadzii , previously known only from Prizren district, is now reported also from Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains (Western Kosovo). Geci, D., Ibrahimi, H., Bilalli, A., Musliu, M., Strohmeier, T., Koblmüller, S., … S...

The agrobiont wolf spider, Tigrosa helluo (Araneae: Lycosidae), has broad thermal limits and displays consistent temperature preferences in laboratory trials

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The agrobiont wolf spider, Tigrosa helluo (Araneae: Lycosidae), has broad thermal limits and displays consistent temperature preferences in laboratory trials

Abstract

The arthropod species that invade and persist in disturbed habitats, such as agricultural fields, likely have adaptations that allow individuals to tolerate and/or respond to abiotic extremes. We hypothesized that the agribiont wolf spider, Tigrosa helluo (Walckenaer, 1837) (Araneae, Lycosidae), would have a broad thermal tolerance range and be able to actively select favorable sites within an open landscape. We documented the reactions of juveniles and adult females when released in a hostile arena at low (4 to 7 °C), high (77 to 80 °C), or room temperatures (23 to 26 °C) and recorded the temperature where they settled as a measure of thermal preference. All individuals commenced moving in less than a minute and repeatedly relocated to regions with more amenable temperatures (≈ 20 °C) regardless of their starting point. We also determined the critical thermal maxima (CTmax) and minima (CTmin) of the subjects. The CTmax for adults was between 37 to 48 °C which was significantly higher than the values of 27 to 46 °C obtained for juveniles. The CTmin for adults was 2 to 6 °C which was significantly lower than we recorded for juveniles (between 2 and 7 °C). Taken together, the broad tolerance range, quick reactions to temperature extremes, and consistent thermal preferences displayed by T. helluo likely contribute to their success in disturbed agroecosystems. Both adult females and juveniles can withstand the thermal environment for much of the year and counter extreme temperatures through behavior.


Sperry, M., Shannon, H. C., & Rypstra, A. L. The agrobiont wolf spider, Tigrosa helluo (Araneae: Lycosidae), has broad thermal limits and displays consistent temperature preferences in laboratory trials. Environmental Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaf053


Acknowledgment: I sincerely thank Leif Cash (@leifcollectsbugs) for generously providing the in situ image of Tigrosa helluo.