A Remarkable Discovery: Exploring a Rare Eresus and Spider Wasp Interaction

  Photo Credit: © Antonino Rametta . All photographs are used with permission. No part of these images may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without the prior written permission of the photographer. A Remarkable Discovery: Exploring a Rare Eresus and Spider Wasp Interaction One of the most rewarding aspects of maintaining Arácnido Taxonomy is hearing from naturalists and photographers around the world who take the time to share their discoveries. Every so often, an email arrives that immediately captures your attention. Not because it claims to rewrite what we know about biodiversity, but because it documents something that very few people have the opportunity to witness. Recently, I was contacted by a naturalist in Sicily who shared a series of exceptionally high-quality photographs of a female ladybird spider ( Eresus ) during what appeared to be an interaction with a spider wasp. Along with the images came a simple question: "Could this be scientifically import...

The presence of the Dinaric genus Mesostalita Deeleman-Reinhold, 1971 (Arachnida: Araneae: Dysderidae) in the Julian Prealps (NE Italy)

 


The presence of the Dinaric genus Mesostalita Deeleman-Reinhold, 1971 (Arachnida: Araneae: Dysderidae) in the Julian Prealps (NE Italy)

Abstract

Mesostalita is a genus of woodlouse hunter spiders (Arachnida: Araneae: Dysderidae), currently including three species: M. nocturna, M. kratochvili, and M. comottii. These are cave-dwelling species, endemic to the Dinarides. The genus distribution range is examined, focusing on published localities. In particular, the presence of Mesostalita in the Julian Prealps (NE Italy) is investigated by researching previous reports from the area. A new record, Foran di Landri cave, is reported, representing the fourth known occurrence of the genus in the area. A brief description and some photographs of the female specimen found in the cave are provided. Following this finding, the genus distribution range must be extended northwards to include the Julian Prealps, on the other side of the Isonzo-Soča river (representing a biogeographical barrier for many cave-dwellers), opposite to the Dinarides. This makes Mesostalita one of the few troglobitic north-western Dinaric genera living on both sides of the river. Further sampling in caves in the area (to find at least a male individual) and molecular analyses are necessary to clarify the proper, specific status of specimens living in the Julian Prealps and their phylogenetic relationships within the genus.

Canciani, G., Turolo, L., Tringali, L., Colautti, M., & Colla, A. (2025). The presence of the Dinaric genus Mesostalita Deeleman-Reinhold, 1971 (Arachnida: Araneae: Dysderidae) in the Julian Prealps (NE Italy). Acta Carsologica54(1). https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v54i1.13918