A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

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  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

Does size matter? Reports of cannibalism in scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Turkey

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Does size matter? Reports of cannibalism in scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Turkey

Short Communication

Cannibalism is a phenomenon where one individual kills and consumes another of its own species, often arising during conflicts related to survival or reproduction (e.g., Persson et al. 2000, DeVore et al. 2021). Early authors have suggested that this mechanism regulates and controls the predator population size, facilitating their survival during prey scarcity (Elgar & Crespi 1992, Wise 2006, Oliveira et al. 2022). As potential competition decreases, resources such as food, shelter, and territory become more readily available. Therefore, cannibalism may result from high population density and/or strong intraspecific competition for prey resources (Davison et al. 2020). 

Yağmur, Ersen & Lira, André & Kurt, Rıdvan & Tezcan, Erman & Kartal, İbrahim & Sipahioğlu, Özgün. (2025). Does size matter? Reports of cannibalism in scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Turkey.. 21. 90-92.