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 ...

Revisiting the genus Priocnemella (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): A Long-Overdue Taxonomic Update

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Revisiting the genus Priocnemella (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): A Long-Overdue Taxonomic Update

Abstract

Pompilidae are a group of wasps popularly known as spider hunters due to their behavior of capturing spiders for the development of their larvae. Many of the Neotropical genera lack extensive studies and taxonomic keys, for instance Priocnemella Banks. This genus has recently undergone changes in taxonomic composition following a revision of Eragenia Banks, a morphologically and phylogenetically related genus. Eragenia has received some species transferred from Priocnemella, while Phanochilus Banks was synonymized with Priocnemella. Despite the proposed changes, the group has never been revised taxonomically. Species identification is hampered by the lack of updated keys and illustrations. This study aims to review the genus Priocnemella, examining external morphology of both sexes and male genitalia morphology. Priocnemella aurata (Fox, 1897) has its status revalidated; P. hexagona omissa Banks, 1946 and P. eurytheme (Banks, 1944) are synonymized with P. hexagona (Fox, 1897) new syn.; and P. dimidiaticornis (Spinola, 1851) is discussed, with its male described and illustrated for the first time. Ten species of Priocnemella are recognized: P. fairchildi (Banks, 1925), P. fuscomarginata (Fox, 1897), P. hexagona (Banks, 1925), P. gloriosa (Smith, 1873), P. aurata (Fox, 1897) status rev., P. aurodecorata (Cameron, 1912), P. nobilitata (Smith, 1866), P. ornata (Banks, 1946); P. insignis (Banks, 1946), and P. dimidiaticornis (Spinola, 1851). Our results underscore the critical need for further taxonomic studies to enhance our understanding of biodiversity.

FERREIRA, A. V., PITTS, J. P., & WAICHERT, C. (2025). Revisiting the genus Priocnemella (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): A Long-Overdue Taxonomic Update. Zoologischer Anzeiger. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2025.08.004