A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

Posted by
  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 ...

Descriptions of undescribed sexes of Theraphosidae spiders (Mygalomorphae: Plesiopelma, Tmesiphantes) from northern Argentina

Posted by

 


Descriptions of undescribed sexes of Theraphosidae spiders (Mygalomorphae: Plseiopelma, Tmesiphantes) from northern Argentina

Abstract

Females previously unknown from two Argentinean tarantula (Theraphosidae), Plesiopelma paganoi Ferretti & Barneche, 2014 and Tmesiphantes crassifemur (Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960) are described for the first time. Both specimens were collected at the type locality or very close to it to assure to be conspecific. The female of P. paganoi can be distinguished from congeners by the high number of labial and maxillary cuspules and the shape of the spermathecae with very short and non-spiraled ducts. The female of T. crassifemur is characterized by the shape of the spermathecae and the absence of spiniform setae on coxa III and IV. New diagnosis are presented and a distribution map of both species.

Ferretti, N., & Beratz, M. (n.d.). Descriptions of undescribed sexes of Theraphosidae Spiders (Mygalomorphae: Plseiopelma, Tmesiphantes) from Northern Argentina. Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales. https://revista.macn.gob.ar/index.php/RevMus/article/view/890