Climatic and density-dependent drivers of population dynamics in a hazardous urban scorpion species over seven years

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  Climatic and density-dependent drivers of population dynamics in a hazardous urban scorpion species over seven years Abstract This link goes to a Portuguese section Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is the most medically important scorpion in Brazil, responsible for a growing number of accidents in urban areas. Despite its relevance, the population dynamics of this species in anthropogenic habitats remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the influence of abiotic factors on its abundance and reproduction. We analysed long-term data (2006–2013) from T. serrulatus collected in an urban cemetery in the municipality of Americana, São Paulo State, Brazil. Using spatiotemporal mixed models, we evaluated the effects of temperature and humidity at the graves on the abundance of brooded and non-brooded individuals, as well as on the ratio between the two reproductive groups. A total of 21,489 individuals were recorded, including 463 brooded individuals. W...

The new genus Magnacrus (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Ornithoctoninae) from Vietnam, with notes on Citharognathus hosei Pocock, 1895

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The new genus Magnacrus (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Ornithoctoninae) from Vietnam, with notes on Citharognathus hosei Pocock, 1895

Abstract

A new ornithoctonine genus, Magnacrus gen. nov., is established with two species from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Magnacrus tongmianensis (Zhu, Li & Song, 2002) gen. nov. comb. nov. is transferred from Citharognathus Pocock, 1895, and is redescribed based on the new Vietnamese specimens; its type locality is potentially wrongly recorded, this species likely does not inhabit China. A new species, M. taynguyenensis gen. nov. sp. nov., from Vietnam is described with both sexes. The type species of Citharognathus, C. hosei Pocock, 1895, is redescribed based on the type specimen and new samples from two populations of Sarawak, Borneo. The males of M. tongmianensis gen. nov. comb. nov., and C. hosei are additionally described. Insights into natural history and conservation of all species are included. A distribution map for both Magnacrus species is provided.

Hoang, Q.D., Yu, K., Wendt, I., West, R.C. & Wirth, V.V. (2025) The new genus Magnacrus (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Ornithoctoninae) from Vietnam, with notes on Citharognathus hosei Pocock, 1895. Zootaxa, 5701 (3), 351–381. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5701.3.5