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...

A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 belonging to the tranquillus species group (Araneae: Trachelidae) from southern Mexico

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A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 belonging to the tranquillus species group (Araneae: Trachelidae) from southern Mexico

The family Trachelidae comprises 29 genera and 300 species recognized worldwide (World Spider Catalog 2025). In North America, two genera have been recorded: Meriola Banks, 1895, and Trachelas L. Koch, 1872. Trachelas is the most diverse genus within Trachelidae, with 93 species documented globally. It has been suggested that the New World representatives of this genus are not congeneric with the type species or other Old World members due to substantial somatic and genitalic differences (see Platnick & Shadab 1974a: 3 for further discussion, particularly regarding American species).

Chamé-Vázquez, D. & Chamé-Vázquez, E. R. (2025). A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 belonging to the tranquillus species group (Araneae: Trachelidae) from southern Mexico. Zootaxa 5683(2): 294-300. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5683.2.9