Joining the dark side: waterfall spiders in subterranean habitats, with the description of a new genus and two new species from Brazil (Araneae: Trechaleidae)

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  Joining the dark side: waterfall spiders in subterranean habitats, with the description of a new genus and two new species from Brazil (Araneae: Trechaleidae) Abstract Trechaleidae is a family of spiders often recognized by its semiaquatic species, but its diversity extends beyond these well-known examples. In this study, we describe Troglotrechalea gen. nov. , a new genus with two novel species, T. faleroae spec. nov. and T. agorai spec. nov. , found exclusively in subterranean habitats within karst formations in central and southeastern Brazil. Both species exhibit pale coloration, but unmodified eyes and legs if compared to other species in the family. The slight degree of troglomorphism, along with their geographic and habitat records, suggests that these species are restricted to hypogean habitats, although they probably move through epigean habitats. Additionally, we report in detail the occurrence of the trechaleid genera Enna O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897, Heidrunea Brescovi...

New observations on prey scarab beetles and host plants of the green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans (Hentz, 1832) (Araneae: Oxyopidae) in Oaxaca, Mexico

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New observations on prey scarab beetles and host plants of the green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans (Hentz, 1832) (Araneae: Oxyopidae) in Oaxaca, Mexico

ABSTRACT

Peucetia viridans (Hentz), commonly called the lynx spider, is an important predator with a diet that encompasses a wide variety of insects and arachnids, including cannibalism. Although several studies that address aspects related to its ecology and behaviour have been carried out, there is a notable lack of studies focused on the recording of its prey and hosts. This information gap is particularly evident regarding the interaction of the spider with beetles belonging to the family Scarabaeidae. To contribute to the knowledge of the feeding habits and host preferences of P. viridans, observations were made in two localities of the Valles Centrales region of Oaxaca, Mexico. Lynx spiders were observed on Croton ciliatoglandulifer Ortega, Lantana camara Linnaeus, Solanum mitlense Dunal, and Wigandia urens (Ruiz and Pav.) Kunth. Spiders utilise these plants as shelter and to ambush their prey, thereby reducing herbivore populations and protecting the plants. In return, the plants provide the spiders with prey and floral and extrafloral nectaries as food sources. Therefore, spiders and plants have a facultative mutualistic relationship, whereas the relationship between spiders and herbivores is antagonistic. For the first time Diplotaxis trapezifera Bates, Macrodactylus fulvescens Bates, Paranomala discoidalis (Bates), Strigoderma costulipennis Bates, Strigoderma sulcipennis Burmeister, and Euphoria pulchella (Gory and Percheron) as prey, and Wigandia urens, Lantana camara and Solanum mitlense as host plants are recorded. A checklist of host plants for P. viridans is given. Overall, these new observations highlight the importance that tritrophic interactions (plant–herbivore–natural enemy) have in wild systems, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Guzmán-Vásquez, H. M., & García García, M. Á. (2024). New observations on prey scarab beetles and host plants of the green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans (Hentz, 1832) (Araneae: Oxyopidae) in Oaxaca, Mexico. Journal of Natural History, 58(45–48), 2003–2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2024.2406048