The distribution, spatial clustering, and density of trapdoor spiders in two California coastal dune ecosystems

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  The distribution, spatial clustering, and density of trapdoor spiders in two California coastal dune ecosystems Abstract Coastal dune ecosystems support endemic trapdoor spiders, yet population data for these species are limited. We conducted the first coastal dune trapdoor spider population estimation surveys at Moss Landing State Beach (California) and for Aptostichus stephencolberti Bond 2008 at Sunset State Beach using randomly selected 1m 2 quadrats across ~26,000 m 2 per site. Burrow densities were similar between sites (Sunset: 0.287 burrows/m 2 ; Moss: 0.453 burrows/m 2 ), yielding estimated population sizes of ~35,206 and ~30,959 individuals, respectively. However, spatial analyses revealed contrasting patterns of burrow distribution. At Sunset State Beach, burrow presence was strongly associated with vegetation and occurred closer to plants, despite vegetation being randomly distributed. In contrast, no vegetation–burrow association was detected at Moss Landing, alth...

Gynandry and intersexuality in spiders: half a century onwards

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Gynandry and intersexuality in spiders: half a century onwards

Abstract

A little over fifty years ago, Roberts & Parker (1973) advanced the knowledge of intersexual and gynandromorphic spiders. Those authors also provided a total of 14 categories for classifying gynandry in spiders. Eight new cases of gynandry and/or intersexuality are reported herein, in addition to a critical appraisal of all prior published literature available on this phenomenon and discussion on broader topics, such as a newly reported case of abnormal neoteny.

Acknowledgment: I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Danni Sherwood for providing the complete manuscript.

Sherwood, D., & Azarkina, G. N. (2026). Gynandry and intersexuality in spiders: half a century onwards: Gynandry and intersexuality in spiders. Acta Zoológica Lilloana, 45–93. https://doi.org/10.30550/j.azl/2287