Beyond Venom and Constriction: Bite Performance and Trophic Ecology in the Genus Drymarchon

Posted by
  Beyond Venom and Constriction: Bite Performance and Trophic Ecology in the Genus Drymarchon Abstract Snakes exhibit extreme cranial kinesis that facilitates ingestion of prey with large cross-sectional area, but this ability is widely predicted to reduce bite performance due to decreased structural rigidity. Consequently, most large-bodied snakes rely on envenomation or constriction to subdue prey prior to ingestion. Species within the genus Drymarchon represent a notable exception: these large, non-venomous, non-constricting snakes routinely consume a wide range of prey, including large and potentially dangerous vertebrates, using only simple seizing and pinioning behaviors. Here, we quantify bite performance in three species of Drymarchon ( D. corais, D. couperi, and D. melanurus ), examine morphological predictors of biting performance, compare biting pressure to constriction pressure in similarly sized snakes, and synthesize dietary records across the genus. Our results sh...

New and noteworthy host records for some North American and Colombian spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Posted by

 


New and noteworthy host records for some North American and Colombian spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Abstract

New and noteworthy parasitoid/host records for 47 North American and Colombian species and subspecies of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) are listed in taxonomic order following the Catalog of Hymenoptera in America North of Mexico (Krombein 1979). Te records represent an extension of previous host studies by Kurczewski and various co-authors. New genus and/or species host records are given for the genera and subgenera Calopompilus Ashmead, Pepsis Fabricius, Hemipepsis Dahlbom, Priocnessus Banks, Entypus Dahlbom, Cryptocheilus Panzer, Priocnemissus Haupt, Caliadurgus Pate, Dipogon Fox, Phanagenia Banks, Auplopus Spinola, Ageniella Banks, Aporus Spinola, Episyron Schiødte, Poecilopompilus Ashmead, Tachypompilus Ashmead, Arachnophroctonus Howard, Pompilinus Ashmead, Arachnospila Kincaid, and Allochares Banks. New host spider families are introduced for Pepsis equestris Erichson (Pycnothelidae), Pepsis mexicana Lucas (Ctenidae), Pepsis cyanescens Lepeletier (Ctenidae), Pepsis lepida Mocsary (Teraphosidae), Priocnessus prominens (Banks) (Teraphosidae), Entypus unifasciatus cressoni (Banks) (Teraphosidae), Priocnemis (Priocnemissus) nigripes (Cresson) (Antrodiaetidae), Dipogon (Deuteragenia) calipterus (Say) (Salticidae), Dipogon (Deuteragenia) sayi Banks (Trachelidae), Auplopus mellipes mellipes (Say) (Dysderidae), Ageniella (Ageniella) accepta (Cresson) species group (Corinnidae), Ageniella (Ageniella) evansi Townes (Zoropsidae), Ageniella (Leucophrus) reynoldsi (Banks) (Salticidae), Ageniella (Priophanes) sp. (Gnaphosidae), Aporus (Aporus) niger (Cresson) (Antrodiaetidae), Episyron conterminus Smith (Nephilidae), Tachypompilus ferrugineus (Say) (Salticidae). Linyphiidae and Philodromidae are new host families for Caliadurgus fasciatellus (Spinola) in North America. Entychides Simon (Euctenizidae) is a new host genus for species in the family Pompilidae. Latrodectus mactans (Fabricius) (Teridiidae) is reported herein for an extremely rare, unidentified host species of Pompilidae.

Kurczewski FE, West RC. 2026. New and noteworthy host records for some North American and Colombian spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Insecta Mundi 1170: 1–24. https://journals.flvc.org/mundi/article/view/141468