Climatic and density-dependent drivers of population dynamics in a hazardous urban scorpion species over seven years

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  Climatic and density-dependent drivers of population dynamics in a hazardous urban scorpion species over seven years Abstract This link goes to a Portuguese section Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is the most medically important scorpion in Brazil, responsible for a growing number of accidents in urban areas. Despite its relevance, the population dynamics of this species in anthropogenic habitats remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the influence of abiotic factors on its abundance and reproduction. We analysed long-term data (2006–2013) from T. serrulatus collected in an urban cemetery in the municipality of Americana, São Paulo State, Brazil. Using spatiotemporal mixed models, we evaluated the effects of temperature and humidity at the graves on the abundance of brooded and non-brooded individuals, as well as on the ratio between the two reproductive groups. A total of 21,489 individuals were recorded, including 463 brooded individuals. W...

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