Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

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  Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) have several morphological and behavioral antipredator traits. For example, the soft larvae accumulate their feces and exuviae from previous instars to create a so-called “fecal shield” (Engel 1936; Kosior 1975), which functions as a defense against many predator guilds (Eisner and Eisner 2000; Eisner et al. 1968; Vencl et al. 1999, 2005; Vencl and Srygley 2013). Adults are characterized by their explanate and well-sclerotized pronota and elytra, which cover all soft parts of the body, thereby forming a tortoise-shaped shield (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Jolivet 1997; Jolivet and Verma 2002; Selman 1988; Windsor et al. 1992) (Fig. 1A). Furthermore, the adults are known for their ability to grip firmly to surfaces with both tarsal claws and pads, which renders them difficult to capture (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Joliv...

A new species of Cyrtopholis Simon, 1892 from Montserrat, with notes on some other Caribbean theraphosines (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

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A new species of Cyrtopholis Simon, 1892 from Montserrat, with notes on some other Caribbean theraphosines (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

Abstract
A new species of the Caribbean genus Cyrtopholis Simon, 1892, Cyrtopholis montserrat sp. nov. is described from the United Kingdom Overseas Territory (UKOT) of Montserrat, based on both sexes. Cyrtopholis femoralis Pocock, 1903 is redescribed from the holotype male with the first figures of the genitalia of this Montserrat endemic spider presented. The endemic Saint Barthélemy species Cyrtopholis antillana Thorell, 1894 stat. rev. is revalidated from synonymy with Cyrtopholis bartholomaei (Latreille, 1832) and non-type specimens of both sexes are described and diagnosed. Cyrtopholis innocua (Ausserer, 1871), C. intermedia (Ausserer, 1875), C. ischnoculiformis (Franganillo, 1926), and C. obsoleta (Franganillo, 1935) are proposed as nomina dubia, and Cyrtopholis respinus Franganillo, 1935 is confirmed as a nomen nudum. 

Sherwood, Danniella & Questel, Karl. (2024). A new species of Cyrtopholis Simon, 1892 from Montserrat, with notes on some other Caribbean theraphosines (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Arachnology. 19. 1298-1307.