Family Gnaphosidae Research Articles

An updated and annotated checklist of the spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of Iraq.

An updated and annotated checklist of the spiders of Iraq, currently comprising 104 species in 75 genera and 29 families is presented, including six endemic and four subendemic species. Twenty-three records are considered misidentifications and therefore omitted from the checklist. Where possible, the misidentified records are attributed to other species based on their distribution and morphology; as a result of this, three species are recorded in Iraq for the first time: Dictis striatipes L. Koch, 1872 (Scytodidae), Hippasa deserticola Simon, 1889 (Lycosidae) and Latrodectus cinctus Blackwall, 1865 (Theridiidae). The history of studies and the geographical distribution of records are reviewed and discussed. The list is dominated by members of the families Gnaphosidae, Lycosidae, and Salticidae, comprising 15.4%, 13.5% and 10.6% of the total number of species, respectively.

On nine ground spiders from Xishuangbanna, China (Araneae, Gnaphosidae), including two new genera and seven new species.

Species of the family Gnaphosidae Banks, 1892 were surveyed in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, and nine species were found including two new genera and seven new species. The new monotypic genera are Meizhelangen. nov., with the type species Meizhelanmuhongsp. nov. (♂♀) and Yuqilingen. nov., with the type species Y.lujunyisp. nov. (♂♀). Five additional new species are described: Allomicythussuochaosp. nov. (♂♀); Hongkongialiutangsp. nov. (♂♀); Sernokorbaruanxiaoersp. nov. (♂♀), Synaphosusleihengsp. nov. (♂♀) and Sy.lijunsp. nov. (♂♀). The unknown male of A.kamurai Ono, 2009 and unknown female of H.wuae Song & Zhu, 1998 are described for the first time.

Epigaeic spider response to sagebrush steppe restoration treatments

Epigaeic (ground-active) spiders are dominant predators of arthropods and are important prey for vertebrates in sagebrush steppe systems. As part of the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP), the response of epigaeic spiders to sagebrush steppe restoration treatments was evaluated. Spiders were pitfall trapped pre-treatment and for up to 7 years post-treatment at 20 sites in the interior western United States. Spider species, functional groups, and communities were analyzed as regards site conditions and in response to treatments (prescribed fire, mechanical, and herbicide) designed to restore sagebrush steppe lands encroached by piñon–juniper woodlands (Pinus and Juniperus spp.) and invaded by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). A total of 10,149 epigaeic spiders were caught during the 8-year sampling period (2006–2014), comprising 18 families, 51 genera, and 109 species. Ten species are currently undescribed, including two species of jumping spiders (Salticidae), two species of funnel spiders (Agelenidae), and a species of trapdoor spider (Euctenizidae). Nearly 70% of adult catch comprised the 10 most commonly collected species; 50 species were caught fewer than five times. Spiders of the family Gnaphosidae (ground spiders) dominated the collection (65% of adults), followed by wolf spiders (Lycosidae; 12%), jumping spiders (8%), and crab spiders (Thomisidae; 4%). Fewer gnaphosids were caught in plots with higher tree cover, and this pattern was reversed by tree removal. There was no significant epigaeic spider response to the broadleaf herbicide tebuthiuron, nor to mowing or clear-cutting. Mastication caused a subtle increase in epigaeic spider richness at Utah juniper sites. Prescribed fire decreased abundance and richness of epigaeic spiders in the short term (1 year post-treatment), with catch at most sites converging to control levels by Year 2 post-treatment; application of the annual herbicide imazapic at treeless sites may have amplified this effect slightly in the short term. In general, gnaphosid catch and richness closely paralleled litter and bunchgrass cover. These patterns suggest that while gnaphosid spiders are not sagebrush-obligate species per se, these spiders prefer habitat conditions that provide more hiding cover, in the form of litter and vegetation, found more often in treeless sagebrush steppe plant communities and in woodland communities that have relatively lower tree cover.

First record of Minosiella intermedia (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Egypt

Minosiella intermedia Denis, 1958, from the family Gnaphosidae, is recorded from Egypt (Sadat City), and thereby the African continent, for the first time. The record, originating from a drip-irrigated pomegranate orchard, is based only on male specimens. It is the fourth recorded species of the genus Minosiella Dalmas, 1921 in Egypt. Diagnostic drawings and images of the copulatory organs are presented together with a depiction of the habitat.

Description of New Ground Spider Species (Gnaphosidae, Araneae) from Mainland Greece

In the course of an extensive sampling of ground spiders in mainland Greece, six new species, namely, Civizelotes akmon n.sp., Drassyllus centrohellenicus n.sp., Drassyllus covid n.sp., Drassyllus dadianus n.sp., Phaeocedus similaris n.sp., and Zeloteshistio n.sp., all belonging to the family Gnaphosidae Banks, 1892, were identified and are described. Furthermore, taxonomic comments on Civizelotes gracilis (Canestrini, 1868) and its relationship with C. pygmaeus (Miller, 1943), Drassyllus dadia Komnenov & Chatzaki, 2016, as well as on Zelotes olympi (Kulczyński, 1903) and its relationship with Z. talpinus (L. Koch, 1872) are provided. Drassodes omalosis Roewer, 1928 is removed from the synonymy of D. unicolor (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) and the species is revalidated.

Tracing the evolution of trophic specialisation and mode of attack behaviour in the ground spider family Gnaphosidae

The evolutionary history of prey specialisation differs among spider species, particularly among active wandering species which have evolved a variety of prey-capture tactics. Here, we conducted a comparative analysis of prey specialisation and prey capture behaviour in Gnaphosidae. We used nine species each representing a different genus and investigated their acceptance of spiders and ants as prey, on which they may specialise, and their attack behaviour. Then we collected such data for another about 20 species from literature. The studied species used only either biting or silk (followed by biting) to constrain prey during attack. For each species, we measured selected morphological characteristics—specifically, the relative sizes of cheliceral fangs and spinnerets as well as the number of spigots on spinnerets—and related them to the ability to catch spiders (araneophagy) and ants (myrmecophagy) and mode of attack behaviour. We found the relative fang size to be significantly shorter for myrmecophagous species. Other traits were not related to prey specialisation or attack behaviour. They used silk particularly for larger prey. Use of silk was a conditional strategy in some species. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships among the studied genera using molecular and morphological data. We found that araneophagy was frequent but myrmecophagy was rare among recent taxa. Comparative analysis revealed that araneophagy is an ancestral state, while myrmecophagy was less likely and repeatedly lost. The use of silk for prey immobilisation was also as likely as unlikely for ancestors and has been repeatedly lost.

Estimation of trophic niches in myrmecophagous spider predators

Among spiders, taxonomically the most diversified group of terrestrial predators, only a few species are stenophagous and feed on ants. The levels of stenophagy and ant-specialisation vary among such species. To investigate whether stenophagy is only a result of a local specialisation both fundamental and realised trophic niches need to be estimated. Here we investigated trophic niches in three closely-related spider species from the family Gnaphosidae (Callilepis nocturna, C. schuszteri, Nomisia exornata) with different levels of myrmecophagy. Acceptance experiments were used to estimate fundamental trophic niches and molecular methods to estimate realised trophic niches. For the latter two PCR primer sets were used as these can affect the niche breadth estimates. The general invertebrate ZBJ primers were not appropriate for detecting ant DNA as they revealed very few prey types, therefore ant-specific primers were used. The cut-off threshold for erroneous MOTUs was identified as 0.005% of the total number of valid sequences, at individual predator level it was 0.05%. The fundamental trophic niche of Callilepis species included mainly ants, while that of N. exornata included many different prey types. The realised trophic niche in Callilepis species was similar to its fundamental niche but in N. exornata the fundamental niche was wider than realised niche. The results show that Callilepis species are ant-eating (specialised) stenophagous predators, catching mainly Formicinae ants, while N. exornata is an ant-eating euryphagous predator catching mainly Myrmicinae ants.

A review of the family Gnaphosidae in the fauna of the Urals (Aranei), 6. Taxonomic remarks and new records, with description of a new species

A review of the family Gnaphosidae in the fauna of the Urals (Aranei), 6. Taxonomic remarks and new records, with description of a new species

A new species and two new records of the ground spider genus Apopyllus (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) from Paraguay.

The family Gnaphosidae consist of 158 genera and 2530 species worldwide. In South America there are 35 genera (World Spider Catalog 2019) considering Apopyllus Platnick Shadab, 1984, a small genus of ground hunting spiders (Cardoso et al. 2011) that includes ten American species, of which eight have been recorded from southern South America. Their known distribution ranges from southern Mexico through Colombia, Bolivia, Perú, Chile, Brazil and Argentina (World Spider Catalog 2019). In Paraguay, the genus was first mentioned in an invertebrate checklist (see Kochalka et al. 1996). First studies on the genus and its taxonomic placement were made by Platnick Shadab (1984), and more recently a revision of the genus was undertaken by Azevedo et al. (2016), including four new Brazilian species. Even though the external appearance of Apopyllus is similar to other gnaphosids, specifically taking into consideration the Echemus group, spiders with plain colored abdomens, sometimes presenting chevrons in the opisthosoma, and with developed scutum in males (Murphy 2007), females and males can be differentiated by the more elaborated and intricated genitalia structures (see Azevededo et al. 2016). Apopyllus is most similar to Apodrassodes Vellard, 1924 both having a similar elongate embolus (Fig. 3e) and a membranous tegular extension (Fig. 3d) (Platnick Shadab 1984), and to the genera Nopyllus Ott, 2014, but differ from the later by the presence of a scutum (Fig. 3a) in males and by the presence of a median apophysis (Fig. 3e) on the bulb (Ott, 2014).

OCCURRENCE OF TRUE SPIDERS ASSOCIATED WITH WHEAT PLANTS IN QALUOBIA AND BENI-SUIEF GOVERNORATES, EGYPT

Wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.), is a major cereal crop in Egypt. True spiders represent one of the most important natural predators against different arthropod pests in Egyptian fields. In this study , the common true spiders were surveyed in wheat fields, and counted weekly using two different methods (Plant-shaking method and Pit-fall trap) during the cultivated seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The obtained results indicated that the collected spiders associated with wheat plants in the two tested localities (Qaluobia and Beni-Suief governorates) were 13 spider species belongs to 12 genera in 12 families. The number of collected spider species associated with foliage in this study were 10 species, as the soil spiders were 4 (one of them inhabiting foliage and soil ( Erigone sp : Linyphidae). The abundance of the collected species were higher during April month along the two cultivated seasons. The results indicated that the commonest spiders inhabiting the soil of wheat plants in Qaluobia Governorate were belonging to 3 families, Gnaphosidae, Lycosidae and Oecobiidae. The highest number of collected spider species were observed during April 2017 and 2018 but the period of December did not recorded any spiders. Family Gnaphosidae recorded the highest population followed by Lycosidae and Oecobiidae along the two examined seasons.

Ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae, Liocranidae, Prodidomidae) from the Greek islands Rodos, Symi and Karpathos, with the description of new species.

New taxonomic data on the ground spiders of the families Gnaphosidae, Liocranidae and Prodidomidae from the Greek islands Rodos and Symi are presented resulting from extensive field work conducted in 2006. Additional material from Karpathos is also included. In total, 48 species are recorded, and five new species (Drassodes mylonasi Chatzaki sp.n., Echemus kaltsasi Chatzaki sp.n., Minosiella apolakia Chatzaki sp.n., Phaeocedus vankeeri Chatzaki sp.n., and Turkozelotes attavirus Chatzaki sp.n.) are proposed. Although the Gnaphosidae of Cyprus are not the focus of the present paper, the unknown female of Echemus levyi Kovblyuk, 2009 found in Cyprus, is also described here for comparative purposes. Leptodrassex memorialis (Spassky, 1940) is justifiably transferred to the genus Leptopilos Levy, 2009 and it is therefore regarded as Leptopilos memorialis comb.nov. The male of Zelotes daidalus Chatzaki, 2003 and the female of Z. minous Chatzaki, 2003 are newly matched and Z. daidalus is further synonymised with Z. shaked Levy, 1998.The new matching of Z. minous males with Z. daidalus females is justified. Two species are new records for Greece: Zelotes limnatis Chatzaki Russell-Smith, 2017 and Agraecina scupiensis Deltshev, 2016.

Two newly recorded species of the family Gnaphosidae (Araneae) from Japan

Two newly recorded species of the family Gnaphosidae (Araneae) from Japan

Silk versus venom: alternative capture strategies employed by closely related myrmecophagous spiders

Predators that prey on dangerous species have evolved effective capture traits. In spiders, venom and silk represent distinct substances associated with prey capture. However, the use of such adaptations comes at a cost. Based on a possible trade-off, the use of only one effective capture mechanism should be optimized if a predator is to specialize on a single type of dangerous prey. We investigated hunting strategies in two Callilepis spp. and one Nomisia species, Nomisia exornata, closely related ant-eating spiders from the family Gnaphosidae. We hypothesized that specialized Callilepis spiders would adopt a more stereotyped capture strategy compared with less specialized Nomisia. We also expected that Callilepis would rely on only one subjugation mechanism. To test this, we compared their hunting efficacy and hunting strategies, with an emphasis on venom vs. silk utilization. Nomisia restrained ants with silk (then bit them), whereas Callilepis relied solely on its venom. This was also reflected in trophic traits connected with silk and venom utilization; Callilepis had larger venom glands than Nomisia, whereas Nomisia had more piriform silk glands than Callilepis. Callilepis was more effective because it subdued prey more quickly, presumably owing to ant-specific venom. Callilepis and Nomisia handled ants from two subfamilies with different degrees of success; Callilepis was more successful with Formicinae ants, whereas Nomisia handled Myrmicinae ants better. We show that sole reliance on venom allows Callilepis to be more efficient in overcoming ants than Nomisia, which uses both silk and venom. However, such specific adaptations might restrict specialized predators from exploiting alternative prey.

New species of gnaphosid spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from the Western Ghats of India

ABSTRACTThree new species of the family Gnaphosidae are diagnosed and illustrated: Hitobia procula sp. nov. (only male), Synaphosus iunctus sp. nov. (only female) and Urozelotes patulusus sp. nov. (both male and female). The genera Hitobia and Synaphosus are recorded for the first time from India.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B0090C55-5C3A-4D8A-A543-EFE945F09332

On the ground spider genera Marjanus gen. n., Lasophorus gen. n. and Turkozelotes Kovblyuk Seyyar, 2009 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Greece.

New taxonomic data on the ground spiders of the family Gnaphosidae from Greece are presented. Two genera are proposed as new to science (Marjanus gen. n. and Lasophorus gen. n.) together with two new species (Lasophorus zakkak sp. n. and Lasophorus zografae sp. n.) and a new combination (Marjanus platnicki comb. nov.). Additionally the genus Turkozelotes Kovblyuk Seyyar, 2009 is here rediagnosed and the female of the type species T. microb Kovblyuk Seyyar, 2009 is described for the first time. The finding of the matching male of Setaphis mccowani Chatzaki Russell-Smith, 2017 suggests the transfer of this species to Turkozelotes and hence the male of T. mccowani comb. nov. is described for the first time. Taxonomic affinities of these genera and species are discussed.

New species and new records of ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Cyprus.

New taxonomic data on the ground spiders of the family Gnaphosidae from the island of Cyprus are presented. Three species are proposed as new to science (Drassyllus cyprius sp. n., Setaphis mccowani sp. n., Zelotes limnatis sp. n.). The male of Synaphosus shirin Ovtsharenko, Levy & Platnick, 1994 and the female of Zelotes zekharya Levy, 2009 are described for the first time. The transfer of Zelotes helvolus (O.P. Cambridge, 1872) and Z. helvoloides Levy, 1998 (the latter not recorded in Cyprus) to Cryptodrassus is proposed. The mismatching of male and female of C. helvoloides is discussed, and the female originally described as C. helvoloides is transferred to C. helvolus. Micaria pallipes (Lucas, 1846) is here recorded and the synonymy with Castanilla marchesii Caporiacco, 1936 is rejected, while the paralectotype of Castanilla marchesii is here assigned to Leptodrassex algericus Dalmas, 1919. Finally a male Poecilochroa still not attributed to a known or new species is described.

Новые виды пауков семейства Gnaphosidae (Aranei) из дельты Дона

Новые виды пауков семейства Gnaphosidae (Aranei) из дельты Дона

SPIDERS (ARANEI) OF NORTH CASPIAN COAST AND ISLANDS

Abstract. Aim. Araneofauna of Peri-Caspian is fragmentary studied. A literature contains faunistic data for the North-West Caspian and Volga River delta. Several faunistic records and new species were earlier described from the North Caspian. Spiders of Mangyshlak are insufficiently studied. The aim of this wark is summation of available data on araneofauna of coast and islands of North Peri-Caspian with more detailed analisys of spiders of North Caspian islands. Location. Russia: Astrakhan Region, Dagestan, Kalmykia; Kazakhstan: Atyrau and Mangystau Regions. Methods. Investigations include Caspian coastal zone with width about 20 km from Makhachkala (western coast) to Tyub Kurgan (eastern coast) and islands of the Caspian Sea: Nordovyi, Tyuleniy, Chechen, Kulaly. Pitfall traps and manual collection were used during 1975–1985 and 2009–2013. Results and main conclusions. Annotated check-list of 325 species of spiders from 31 families is made for North Caspian coast and islands. Species of the families Gnaphosidae (67 species), Salticidae (46 species) и Lycosidae (37 species) are dominated. Three hundred four species are known from coastal (width 20 km) zone (from Makhachkala to Tyub Kurgan) and 132 species were found on islands. North-Eastern Peri-Caspian coast contents 198 species, Volga River delta – 134 species, coast of North and North Eastern Caspian – 98 species. Number of species on Caspian islands: Nordovyi – 30, Tuleniy – 83, Chechen – 66, Kulaly – 43. Each island has its special araneofauna. There are significant differences in fauna composition of different parts of coastal zone.

Karyotypes of six spider species belonging to the families Gnaphosidae, Salticidae, Thomisidae, andZodariidae (Araneae) from Turkey.

In this study, the karyotypes of six spider species from Turkey belonging to the families Gnaphosidae, Salticidae, Thomisidae, and Zodariidae were analyzed. Male chromosomal features including diploid chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems were determined as 2n=22, X1X20 in Drassyllus sur Tuneva & Esyunin, 2003, Nomisia exornata (C. L. Koch, 1839), and Nomisia orientalis Dalmas, 1921; 2n=28, X1X20 in Sitticus caricis (Westring, 1861); 2n=23, X0 in Xysticus gallicus Simon, 1875 and 2n=42, X1X20 in Pax islamita (Simon, 1873), respectively. The chromosome morphology of all species was acrocentric. Data obtained contribute to knowledge of the karyotype evolution of araneomorphs.

Karyotypes of six spider species belonging to the families Gnaphosidae, Salticidae, Thomisidae, and Zodariidae (Araneae) from Turkey

In this study, the karyotypes of six spider species from Turkey belonging to the families Gnaphosidae, Salticidae, Thomisidae, and Zodariidae were analyzed. Male chromosomal features including diploid chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems were determined as 2n=22, X1X20 in Drassyllus sur Tuneva & Esyunin, 2003, Nomisia exornata (C. L. Koch, 1839), and Nomisia orientalis Dalmas, 1921; 2n=28, X1X20 in Sitticus caricis (Westring, 1861); 2n=23, X0 in Xysticus gallicus Simon, 1875 and 2n=42, X1X20 in Pax islamita (Simon, 1873), respectively. The chromosome morphology of all species was acrocentric. Data obtained contribute to knowledge of the karyotype evolution of araneomorphs.