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

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  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...

Diet and hunting behavior of the gray wall jumping spider Menemerus bivittatus (Araneae: Salticidae) in homes in southern Campeche, Mexico

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Diet and hunting behavior of the gray wall jumping spider Menemerus bivittatus (Araneae: Salticidae) in homes in southern Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

This research focused on identifying the prey consumed by the gray wall jumping spider Menemerus bivittatus in homes in southern Campeche state, Mexico, through direct observations of predation events. Between February and June 2026, direct observations of M. bivittatus individuals present on interior and exterior walls of houses were conducted. The capture and consumption of prey, as well as the hunting behavior of the observed individuals, were recorded. The results show that M. bivittatus primarily preyed on houseflies (Musca domestica), which were visually located and captured through precise jumps. The species used the walls of houses as foraging areas, taking advantage of the frequent presence of insects associated with urban environments. The study was based on direct observations, so the actual range of the species' diet may be greater than recorded. Future studies incorporating molecular tools could provide a more detailed characterization of the prey consumed. Menemerus bivittatus acts as an active predator of houseflies in urban environments in Campeche, potentially contributing to the natural control of synanthropic insects associated with human dwellings.

Eligio, M. V., Medina, F. A. L., Camal, M. del C. G., Moreno, P. V., Ramírez, L. J. E., Lazo, E. G., … Castillo, B. B. D. (2026). Diet and hunting behavior of the gray wall jumping spider Menemerus bivittatus (Araneae: Salticidae) in homes in southern Campeche, Mexico. Brazilian Journal of Science, 6(2), 83–89. https://doi.org/10.14295/bjs.v6i2.935