The neonicotinoid imidacloprid impairs the predatory performance and functional response of the jumping spider Helpis minitabunda (Araneae, Salticidae)

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  The neonicotinoid imidacloprid impairs the predatory performance and functional response of the jumping spider Helpis minitabunda (Araneae, Salticidae) Abstract The neonicotinoid imidacloprid can cause lethal and sublethal effects in non-target organisms, including impaired behavior, reduced fertility, disrupted locomotion, and reduced predatory performance in arthropods. Spiders are among the most abundant arthropod predators in terrestrial ecosystems, including agricultural ecosystems, yet the effects of neonicotinoids on the predatory function of jumping spiders remain poorly understood. The functional response of a predator describes how predation rates change with prey density and is key to understanding predator–prey dynamics. We tested whether acute exposure to a commercial formulation of imidacloprid at field-recommended concentrations alters the functional response of the Aussie bronze jumping spider, Helpis minitabunda (L. Koch, 1880). We compared the predation of treat...

Trapdoor spiders of the family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from Kosovo

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Trapdoor spiders of the family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from Kosovo

Abstract
The Balkans is a recognized biodiversity hotspot. Yet, for many parts of this region, knowledge about the diversity of many taxa is limited. This is particularly true for the spiders of Kosovo, for which increased efforts to elucidate the actual diversity have been started only recently. Here, based on traditional morphological analyses and DNA barcoding data, we present the first records of Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 from Kosovo, including the descriptions of Brachythele kosovarica Geci & Sherwood sp. nov. and Nemesia dukagjinica Geci & Sherwood sp. nov.

I’d like to sincerely thank Danniella Sherwood for kindly sharing this manuscript with me through ResearchGate.

Geci, Donard & Ibrahimi, Halil & Bilalli, Astrit & Musliu, Milaim & Koblmüller, Stephan & Sherwood, Danniella. (2025). Trapdoor spiders of the family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from Kosovo. Arachnology. 20. 281-286.