Passive transponder implantation in Theraphosidae: A tool for traceability and conservation

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  Passive transponder implantation in Theraphosidae: A tool for traceability and conservation Abstract Illegal wildlife trade represents a major global threat to biodiversity, with tarantulas among the most heavily trafficked invertebrate groups due to increasing demand in the international pet market, highlighting the urgent need for effective regulatory frameworks and reliable specimen-level traceability systems to distinguish legally bred individuals from illegally sourced ones. Individual identification is essential to support legal trade, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and reduce illegal trafficking; therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility and safety of passive integrated transponder microchip (PIT TAG) implantation for individual identification in multiple tarantula species under controlled laboratory conditions. Post-implantation parameters assessed included anaesthesia recovery time, feeding behaviour, ecdysis frequency, PIT TAG retention across successive moults...

Hiding in plain sight: Microhabitat selection by the trunk-dwelling spider Ypypuera crucifera (Araneae, Hersiliidae), with notes on its natural history

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Hiding in plain sight: Microhabitat selection by the trunk-dwelling spider Ypypuera crucifera (Araneae, Hersiliidae), with notes on its natural history

Abstract

Habitat selection provides biological advantages, including benefits for foraging, reproduction, and predator avoidance. Abiotic factors like vegetation and substrate characteristics play a critical role in this process. This study examined the microhabitat selection of the two-tailed trunk-dwelling spider Ypypuera crucifera in semideciduous dry tropical forests. Rough, circular tree trunks were preferred, likely aiding escape behaviors and reducing predation risk, while smooth or concave trunks were avoided. Spider abundance peaked at mid-height positions (100–160 cm), aligning with predator avoidance strategies. Contrary to expectations, lichen coverage did not influence occupancy, despite its potential role in camouflage for Y. crucifera. Observations revealed reproductive behaviors, including guarded, trunk-attached egg sacs. These findings enhance understanding of Y. crucifera's habitat preferences and natural history, highlighting the importance of tree trunk characteristics in shaping its ecology.

Vanessa Cardoso Pereira, Leonardo Sousa Carvalho "Hiding in plain sight: Microhabitat selection by the trunk-dwelling spider Ypypuera crucifera (Araneae, Hersiliidae), with notes on its natural history," Invertebrate Biology, 144(2), (12 September 2025) https://doi.org/10.71161/ivb.144.2.2025.00001