Recommended Reading: Tarantulas Through a Different Lens

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  Recommended Reading: Tarantulas Through a Different Lens I recently had the opportunity to read an excellent article by Cesar Medina Davila , conservation biologist, science communicator, and founder of Wildlife Nomads , titled “Tarantulas: 12 Facts That Change How You See Them.” For those who follow Arácnido Taxonomy, the subject matter will certainly be familiar. What I particularly appreciate about Cesar’s article, however, is its accessibility. Tarantulas are remarkably diverse animals, yet much of the general public’s understanding of them remains shaped by fear, exaggerated portrayals, and the tendency to treat more than a thousand species as though they were essentially the same animal. Cesar approaches the subject from a different direction. Drawing in part from his own experience working with tarantulas, he introduces readers to the biology behind these animals and, perhaps more importantly, challenges some of the assumptions that have followed them for generations. More...

First report of a Tailless Whip Scorpion in Cyprus: the case of Sarax ioanniticus (Kritscher, 1959) (Amblypygi, Charontidae)

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First report of a Tailless Whip Scorpion in Cyprus: the case of Sarax ioanniticus (Kritscher, 1959) (Amblypygi, Charontidae)


Background

Amblypygi, commonly known as tailless whip scorpions or whip spiders, is an order of Arachnida noted for its cryptic habits and predominantly tropical and subtropical distribution. Although the group was first mentioned on the island of Cyprus in 1990, no specific taxonomic information was provided at the time.

New information

Through a combination of literature review, targeted field surveys and citizen-science contributions, we confirm the presence of Sarax ioanniticus (Kritscher, 1959) in Cyprus, representing the first documented record of this species on the island. Following seven years of dedicated searches, a live specimen was collected in 2023 and identified, thereby establishing S. ioanniticus as part of the island’s rich fauna. This finding extends the known range of S. ioanniticus within the eastern Mediterranean and underscores the importance of integrating biodiversity research with public engagement to detect elusive or under-reported taxa. Future studies should investigate the species’ local distribution, ecological requirements and potential conservation concerns on Cyprus.


Hadjiconstantis M, Smith M, Zoumides C (2025) First report of a Tailless Whip Scorpion in Cyprus: the case of Sarax ioanniticus (Kritscher, 1959) (Amblypygi, Charontidae). Biodiversity Data Journal 13: e157478. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e157478