Examining ecological niche for six species of whip spider in Colombia

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  Examining ecological niche for six species of whip spider in Colombia  Abstract The conditioning variables for the establishment of Amblypygi populations and their ecological interactions are currently poorly studied. Delving deeper into this can help to conserve this group of short-range distribution species, which are useful as a model in biogeographic research. In this study, we evaluated the distribution and overlapping patterns of ecological niche in six species of amblypygids ( Phrynus araya , P. panche , P. pulchripes , Heterophrynus batesii , H. boterorum , H. cervinus ) in the Andean and Amazonian ecosystems of Colombia, revealing a clear biogeographic segregation driven by environmental gradients: Phrynus species were associated with inter-Andean valleys with high thermal and water seasonality.  While the Heterophrynus occupied more stable and humid conditions of foothills and middle elevations. Overlap analyses showed significant divergence (e.g., D=0.105 b...

Taxonomic review of the genus Grismadox Pett, Rubio & Perger, 2022 (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae): new species, combinations and records

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Taxonomic review of the genus Grismadox Pett, Rubio & Perger, 2022 (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae): new species, combinations and records

Abstract

The taxonomy of the myrmecomorphic spider genus Grismadox Pett, Rubio & Perger, 2022 is reviewed. The identity of Apochinomma armatum Mello-Leitão, 1922 is re-evaluated and the species is hereby transferred to Grismadox. Castianeira monai Pett, 2023 is also transferred to Grismadox. Two new species from Brazil are described and illustrated: Grismadox nazgul sp. nov. [♂♀] and G. annatar sp. nov. [♂ only]. The known distribution of the genus is expanded and ranges from northeastern Brazil to the far south of the country, as well as Bolivia and Paraguay. New diagnoses are provided for G. karugua Pett, Rubio & Perger, 2022, G. mazaxoides (Perger & Dupérré, 2021), G. mboitui (Pett, 2021) and G. elsneri Pett, Rubio & Perger, 2022 and scanning electron microscopy images of the genus are provided for the first time. Additionally, a key to all the known species of the genus is presented.

Junior, C.J.S., Pett, B.L. & Bonaldo, A.B. (2025) Taxonomic review of the genus Grismadox Pett, Rubio & Perger, 2022 (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae): new species, combinations and records. Zootaxa, 5706 (2), 151–174. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5706.2.1