Abstract
The order Palpigradi includes species characterized by millimetric size and a characteristic flagellum with bristles at the end of the opisthosoma. They represent one of the less well-known and obscure arachnid orders. In this paper, observations were made on the ecology and feeding behavior of species belonging to the genus Eukoenenia Börner, 1901, from the Western Italian Alps. Direct observations and photographic documentation of 141 individuals in their cave habitat, allowed the recording of data on the physical and trophic conditions such as the presence/absence of trophic resources, temperature and relative humidity, of the underground environment in which they were found. Results showed that the species of this taxon are not as rare as previously reported and that their presence is mainly influenced by temperature, relative humidity, trophic resources and the presence of two speleothems: rimstone dams and rafts. The combination of our observations as well as data previously published highlights that the taxon can have predatory and saprophagous feeding behavior depending on the availability of the food resources. This work represents the starting point for a further investigation of the taxon.
Highlights
Palpigradi is the last described arachnid order and, to date, one of the lesser known and studied
Observations were made on the ecology and feeding behavior of species belonging to the genus Eukoenenia Börner, 1901, from the Western Italian Alps
The hypogean palpigrades in the Western Italian Alps seems to be anything but rare and the paucity of records of this taxon is related to sampling bias
Summary
Palpigradi is the last described arachnid order and, to date, one of the lesser known and studied. The world fauna of living palpigrads consists of more than 100 described species divided in two families: Eukoeneniidae and Prokoeneniidae (Harvey 2002; Giribet et al 2014). The first scientific investigation of the species in this order began in 1885 in Sicily (Italy), where the zoologist Giovanni Battista Grassi (Grassi and Calandruccio 1885) discovered a “mysterious species” of arachnid that he described as Koenenia mirabilis Grassi & Calandruccio, 1885, Eukoenenia mirabilis (Grassi & Calandruccio, 1885). Silvestri (1905) described for the first time the anatomy of the species and he was followed by other authors but many aspects of the biology of the order, including food selection and reproduction, are still unknown (Condé 1996; Smrž et al 2013; Christian et al 2014; Parimuchová et al 2021). Molecular phylogeny of the taxon was performed only by Giribet et al (2014) that demonstrated the monophily of the order and of the family of Eukoeneniidae
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
