A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

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  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

Desiccation resistance of the spider Sicarius thomisoides (Walckenaer, 1847) (Araneae: Sicariidae) to different temperatures

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Desiccation resistance of the spider Sicarius thomisoides (Walckenaer, 1847) (Araneae: Sicariidae) to different temperatures

Abstract

Desert spiders generally are tolerant or resistant to desiccation, as they must develop strategies to live in high temperatures and prevent continued water loss. However, in extreme conditions, as the temperature increases, their metabolism increases, so they could lose water as the temperature rises. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of temperature on water loss in the spider Sicarius thomisoides. Spiders were subjected to different temperatures: 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C. Our results indicate that this spider has excellent resistance to desiccation, since, on average of the three temperatures, losing only 77.25 ± 3.14% of the initial weight at 40 °C, being able to resist extremely high temperatures. In addition, we could not determine a significant effect of body size. Water loss was similar among individuals of different stage of development.

Berríos, C., Martínez, M., & Taucare‐Ríos, A. (2026). Desiccation resistance of the spider <em>Sicarius thomisoides</em> (Walckenaer, 1847) (Araneae: Sicariidae) to different temperatures. Revista Chilena De Entomología, 52(1), 51–58. Retrieved from https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/88431