First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae

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  First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae Abstract Flies of the genus Megaselia Rondani, 1856 exhibit exceptional ecological flexibility, with certain species acting as facultative parasites. This study presents the first documented cases of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) infesting captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae, Ceratogyrus darlingi Pocock, 1897 and Psalmopoeus irminia Saager, 1994) in terrarium settings. Our observations demonstrate that M . abdita colonise artificial habitats and exploit spider hosts similarly to Megaselia scalaris . Citation: Szymański, D.M., Szymański, D., Kłonowski, P. (2026). First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Dipteron, 42, 25-29. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23137389

A new species of Euathlus (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from northern Chile, with morphological novelties for the genus

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A new species of Euathlus (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from northern Chile, with morphological novelties for the genus 

Abstract 

A new species of Euathlus Ausserer 1875 is described from the Coquimbo Region, Chile. Euathlus sinapophysis sp. nov. is differentiated from its congeners by the presence of an oval patch of setae on the ventral surface of the abdomen and the absence of a tibial apophysis on the first leg of males. Both morphological characteristics are reported for the first time for the genus. 

Montenegro, Rubén & Aguilera, Milenko. (2025). UNA ESPECIE NUEVA DE EUATHLUS (ARANEAE: THERAPHOSIDAE) DEL NORTE DE CHILE, CON NOVEDADES MORFOLÓGICAS PARA EL GÉNERO. Revista Ibérica de Aracnología. 47. 3-8.