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...

FIRST RECORD OF LATRODECTUS CORALLINUS (ABALOS, 1980) (ARANEAE: THERIDIIDAE) IN PANAMA

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FIRST RECORD OF LATRODECTUS CORALLINUS (ABALOS, 1980) (ARANEAE: THERIDIIDAE) IN PANAMA

Abstract

Latrodectus corallinus (Abalos, 1980) is identified in two provinces of Panama, where black widow spiders were previously reported under different species names. These observations provide the first confirmed evidence of L. corallinus in Central America, thereby substantially extending its known distribution range. Primera cita de Latrodectus corallinus (Abalos, 1980) (Araneae: Theridiidae) en Panama Resumen. Latrodectus corallinus (Abalos, 1980) ha sido identificado en dos provincias de Panamá, donde previamente se habían reportado arañas viuda negra bajo diferentes nombres de especies. Estas observacio-nes proporcionan la primera evidencia confirmada de L. corallinus en Centroamérica, ampliando así de manera sustancial su rango de distribución conocido. 


Gomard, Guillaume & Wolf, Philippe. (2026). FIRST RECORD OF LATRODECTUS CORALLINUS (ABALOS, 1980) (ARANEAE: THERIDIIDAE) IN PANAMA. Revista Ibérica de Aracnología. 48. 82-88. Via ResearchGate