A new Cataleptoneta species (Araneae, Leptonetidae) from sulfidic caves in Greece and Albania

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  A new Cataleptoneta species (Araneae, Leptonetidae) from sulfidic caves in Greece and Albania Abstract A new species of the genus Cataleptoneta Denis, 1955, Cataleptoneta sulfur sp. nov ., is described from caves in the Vromoner Canyon (Sarandaporo River Valley), on the Greek–Albanian border (northwestern Greece and southern Albania), on the basis of both sexes. Drawings, scanning electron micrographs, and digital images of diagnostic features are presented. Analysis of COI mitochondrial barcode sequences confirmed the species distinction from all the other sequences. Within the species two separate lineages, unique to each cave were found. The genus Cataleptoneta is not monophyletic as now circumscribed and confirmed also by the phylogenetic analysis of the sequences. Urák I, Ştefan A, Motoc RM, Brad T, Zsigmond A-R, Sarbu SM, Szűts T (2026) A new Cataleptoneta species (Araneae, Leptonetidae) from sulfidic caves in Greece and Albania. ZooKeys 1294: 89-107. https://doi.org/...

Death-feigning behavior following dragline escape in a huntsman spider Heteropoda venatoria (Araneae: Sparassidae)

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Death-feigning behavior following dragline escape in a huntsman spider Heteropoda venatoria (Araneae: Sparassidae)

Abstract 

Death-feigning behavior (thanatosis) was documented in the Pantropical Huntsman Spider, Heteropoda venatoria (Araneae: Sparassidae), observed within a human dwelling. Upon disturbance, the spider rapidly descended from a vertical surface using a silk dragline and subsequently assumed a motionless posture with legs partially flexed inward, closely resembling a dead individual. This immobile state persisted for approximately ten minutes despite mild tactile stimulation. Although huntsman spiders primarily relied on rapid escape responses, this observation indicated that thanatosis may have functioned as an additional anti-predator strategy. There are limited reports of this behavior in Sparassidae.

Sylvester, C. & Abhilash, H. R. 2026. Death-feigning behavior following dragline
escape in a huntsman spider Heteropoda venatoria (Araneae: Sparassidae). Munis
Entomology & Zoology, 21 (2): 2095-2097 Munis Entomology & Zoology