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...

On the taxonomic validity of Indian ground spiders: VI. Genera Ladissa Simon, 1907, Melicymnis Simon, 1885, and Poecilochroa Westring, 1874 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

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On the taxonomic validity of Indian ground spiders: VI. Genera Ladissa Simon, 1907, Melicymnis Simon, 1885, and Poecilochroa Westring, 1874 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

Abstract

Indian species of the genera Ladissa Simon, 1907, Melicymnis Simon, 1885, and Poecilochroa Westring, 1874 are reviewed. The species Ladissa latecingulata Simon, 1907, and Melicymnis bicolor Simon, 1885 are considered as species inquirenda due to the immature stage of the types. The type locality of L. latecingulata is confirmed as in Pakistan, and its record in India is found incorrect. The following new combinations are recognised: Hitobia behni (Thorell, 1891) comb. nov., H. devendrai (Gajbe & Rane, 1985) comb. nov. and H. tikaderi (Patel, 1989) comb. nov. (all ex. Poecilochroa). Images of all the examined type specimens, and supplementary descriptions for P. barmani, H. behni comb. nov. and H. devendrai comb. nov. are presented.

Sankaran, P.M. & Caleb, J.T. (2025) On the taxonomic validity of Indian ground spiders: VI. Genera Ladissa Simon, 1907, Melicymnis Simon, 1885, and Poecilochroa Westring, 1874 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). Zootaxa, 5673 (1), 132–142. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5673.1.9