Thermal ecology of Plesiopelma longisternale: novel insights and comparative analysis with a sympatric species

Posted by
  Thermal ecology of Plesiopelma longisternale: novel insights and comparative analysis with a sympatric species Abstract Understanding thermal responses in ectotherms is key to assessing vulnerability to climate change. Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) are informative models due to their sedentary lifestyle, long life cycles, and reliance on specific microhabitats. We present the first integrative assessment of the thermal ecology of Plesiopelma longisternale , a widespread Argentine species, combining experimentally derived thermal limits and thermal preferences with species distribution models, and compare its thermal profile with the sympatric Grammostola vachoni to explore patterns of thermal niche differentiation. Plesiopelma longisternale showed a minimum thermal limit near 4 °C, a maximum near 44 °C, a thermal optimum of 29.5 °C, a narrow thermal performance breadth, and a preferred temperature of approximately 32 °C. Models integrating climatic and thermal parameters predicted...

A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 in the bispinosus-group from Colombia (Araneae: Trachelidae)

Posted by

 


A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 in the bispinosus-group from Colombia (Araneae: Trachelidae)

Abstract
Trachelas amacayacu sp. nov. is described from Amacayacu National Park, Amazonas Department, Colombia based on a holotype female with distinct genital morphology. The type was deposited in the Manchester Museum (MMUE), Manchester, UK. Trachelas nigrifemur Mello-Leitão, 1941 from Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia is proposed as a nomen dubium.

Sherwood, Danniella & Buelvas, Diana. (2025). A new species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 in the bispinosus-group from Colombia (Araneae: Trachelidae). Revista Ibérica de Aracnología. 47. 87-89.