Hidden in the wrack: spider (Arachnida, Araneae) diversity and new records for Italy from Posidonia banquettes

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  Hidden in the wrack: spider (Arachnida, Araneae) diversity and new records for Italy from Posidonia banquettes ABSTRACT Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile beach wrack deposits (banquettes) are a characteristic coastal habitat of the Mediterranean Sea, yet their invertebrate communities remain poorly studied. Here we report the results of a survey from January to November 2024 of the spider fauna (Order Araneae) associated with Posidonia banquettes at Sant’Agostino beach (Civitavecchia, Latium, central Italy), using four complementary sampling methods (surface and underground pitfall traps, Berlese-Tullgren funnel extraction, and visual census). A total of 161 specimens were collected, with 17 species assigned to 11 families among adult individuals. The dominant families were Argyronetidae (39.4%), represented exclusively by Chaerea maritimus Simon, 1885, and Gnaphosidae (33.8%). Three species are recorded for the first time in Italy: Dysdera gamarrae Ferrández 1984, Gnaphosa jucu...

Taxonomic revision of Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina), with insights into secondary spermathecae in Salticidae and coupling pocket homology in Freyina

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Taxonomic revision of Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina), with insights into secondary spermathecae in Salticidae and coupling pocket homology in Freyina

Abstract

The genus Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 is revised. Akela scaloneta Rubio, Baigorria & Stolar, 2023 is synonymized with Evophrys melanoleucus Mello-Leitão, 1944. Akela zinha Ruiz & Bustamante sp. nov. from Brazil is described based on both sexes. New records are also given for A. ruricola Galiano, 1999. After this revision, the genus is composed of four Neotropical species, plus one misplaced species from Pakistan, not treated herein. Variation in colour patterns and the morphology of epigynes within the genus is discussed. The position of secondary spermathecae is also discussed and compared throughout the Salticidae. The homology of epigynal coupling pockets within Freyina is also discussed.
Ruiz, G. R., Marta, K. S., Hagopián, D., & Bustamante, A. A. (2026). Taxonomic revision of Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina), with insights into secondary spermathecae in Salticidae and coupling pocket homology in Freyina. Zoologischer Anzeiger. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2026.05.011