A new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Euagrus Ausserer (Araneae: Euagridae) from central Mexico and new records of E. gus Coyle from Tlaxcala

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  A new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Euagrus Ausserer (Araneae: Euagridae) from central Mexico and new records of E. gus Coyle from Tlaxcala Abstract  A new species of the spider genus Euagrus Ausserer, 1875 from temperate pine-oak forests in the states of Tlaxcala and Hidalgo, Mexico is described: E. pulque sp. nov. The description of the new species is based on male and female adult specimens. Additionally, Euagrus gus Coyle, 1988 is recorded for the very first time in the state of Tlaxcala. These species have sympatric distributions in La Malinche National Park, Tlaxcala. With this description, the diversity of the genus increases to 23 species, with Mexico harboring the highest diversity with 17 described species.  Valdez-Mondragón, A., Salinas-Velasco, H. V. & Bueno-Villegas, J. (2026). A new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Euagrus Ausserer (Araneae: Euagridae) from central Mexico and new records of E. gus Coyle from Tlaxcala. Zootaxa 5810 (...

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