Genetic cohesion of Eresus walckenaeri (Araneae, Eresidae) in the eastern Mediterranean

The eresid spider genus Eresus is morphologically and ecologically conservative. At least three species occur in Europe. However, deep genetic divergence among geographical samples within two species, E. cinnaberinus and E. sandaliatus , may suggest more cryptic species. In the present study we investigate the genetic cohesion of the third species, Eresus walckenaeri , throughout its eastern Mediterranean distribution range, relative to the E. cinnaberinus–E. sandaliatus species complex. Eresus walckenaeri specimens were monophyletic. Genetic discreteness of E. walckenaeri in a region of sympatry with its sister species in Greece provides evidence for species integrity of E. walckenaeri within the European Eresus species complex. Eresus walckenaeri exhibited high concordance between geographical location and mtDNA genealogy. Two major phylogeographical clades were found in the Greek–Turkish and Syrian–Israel parts of the investigated area, respectively (∼6.5% sequence divergence). Concordance between geography and genetic divergence was further observed between Aegean island samples and their corresponding Greek and Turkish mainland samples, suggesting regional subdivision with gradual but potentially high dispersal propensity. Monophyly and limited regional distribution indicate Mediterranean endemic origin.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 86 , 1–9.     

The significance of relatedness and gene flow on population genetic structure in the subsocial spider Eresus cinnaberinus (Araneae: Eresidae)

Interdemic selection, inbreeding and highly structured populations have been invoked to explain the evolution of cooperative social behaviour in the otherwise solitary and cannibalistic spiders. The family Eresidae consists of species ranging from solitary and intermediate subsocial to species exhibiting fully cooperative social behaviour. In this study we, in a hierarchical analysis, investigated relatedness of putative family clusters, inbreeding and population genetic structure of the subsocial spider Eresus cinnaberinus. Five hierarchical levels of investigation ranging from large scale genetic structure (distances of 250 and 50 km level 1 and 2) over microgeographic structure (20 km² and 4 km², level 3 and 4) to a single hill transect of 200 m (level 5) were performed. The purpose of level 5 was two-fold: (1) to investigate the relatedness of putative family groups, and (2) to evaluate the influence of both family living and sampling design on higher level estimates. Relatedness estimates of putative family groups showed an average relatedness of R=0.26. There was no indication of inbreeding. In contrast to social spiders, genetic variation was abundant, H_e?0.10. The population genetic structure was intermediate between social and asocial spiders. Genetic variance increased continually across hierarchical levels. Family structured neighbourhoods biased differentiation estimates among level 5 samples (F_ST? 0.04) and level 3 and 4 samples (0.07ST<0.18), and apparent inbreeding among level 3 and 4 samples, F_IS>0, was caused by disjunct sampling from separate neighbourhoods. Larger scale samples were highly differentiated 0.12ST<0.26, depending on level and sampling design. Due to a distance effect family living did not influence estimates of the higher level 1. Although the dispersing sex among social spiders and the subsocial E. cinnebarinus differ, females versus males, female behaviour of both sociality classes lead to high genetic variance.     

A new ladybird spider from Hungary (Araneae,Eresidae)

According to the most recent taxonomic literature, three species of the genus Eresus are known in Central Europe, Eresus kollari, Eresus sandaliatus and Eresus moravicus. We recognized a fourth distinctive species from Hungary, which is described as Eresus hermani sp. n. Eresus hermani has an early spring copulation period, females have a light grey (grizzled) cephalothorax due to a heavy cover of lightly colored setae, and an epigyne with large flat areas posterior to the epigynal pit, while males are distinguished by a broad and blunt terminal tooth of the conductor. An updated and modified comparative table of Řezáč et al. (2008) to include all four Central European Eresus species, and a simple key to the species group’s species are given. Habitus, epigyne, vulva and conductor of Eresus kollari, Eresus moravicus and Eresus sandaliatus are also illustrated. An annotated list of papers illustrating Eresus hermani due to misidentifications is presented.     

Evolution of Social Behavior in Spiders (Araneae; Eresidae and Theridiidae)

Whereas most spiders are asocial, species in eight familiesare known to live all their life in communities and are thus"permanent-social." Their special attributes are: tolerance,interattraction, and cooperation. These peculiarities must havebeen achieved step by step several times independently. Periodic-socialspiders have been studied as a link between asocial and permanent-socialspiders. In two families—the cribellate Eresidae and ecribellateTheridiidae—different steps of periodic sociality havebeen discovered, from brood-care to feeding by regurgitation.The comparative study of the phylogeny of social behavior inboth families uncovers remarkable convergences of patterns fromasocial to permanent-social via periodical-social species ofspiders.     

Population stability and extinction in a social spider Stegodyphus mimosarum (Araneae: Eresidae)

Nests of social spiders in their natural habitat are clustered and colony clusters may be short-lived. Rapid growth and subsequent extinction of colonies and colony clusters are predicted for social spider populations; however, little quantitative data exist on the longevity of colonies. Furthermore, processes that influence the growth and decline of social spider populations are poorly understood. In this study we followed a population of over 550 nests of S. mimosarum from September 1994 to December 1999 and analysed the changes in relation to abiotic (temperature and rainfall) and biotic (parasitism) factors. We observed two years of apparent population stability (1994–1995), during which nest numbers remained high and constant. This was followed in 1996 by a c. 12% decrease in the numbers of active nests. At the end of 1996 there was a mass dispersal event which was followed in 1997 by a steady decline of the population with no further recovery. Thus, the decline was preceded by dispersal and nest failure, indicating that conditions in the population were unfavourable. The population-wide synchrony of these events reflects the seasonally synchronized development in & mimosarum. However, extrinsic factors related to climate did not explain the extreme events of dispersal and population decline. The potential importance of parasitism, on the one hand, and unknown intrinsic factors on the other, should be considered as alternative explanations that remain to be tested.     

Habitat selection by threatened burrowing spiders (Araneae: Atypidae,Eresidae) of central Europe: evidence base for conservation management

Habitat selection in sedentary, long-lived burrowing spiders is a key life-history event that directly affects their reproductive success. In this study, we analyzed the role of the chemical and physical properties of soil in habitat selection by threatened temperate burrowing spiders. We examined 296 burrows of three Atypus spp. and three Eresus spp. at 68 sites in Czechia. We found that the study species were associated with soils that have high or very high cation exchange capacity, which allows the presence of a stable and humid microclimate in their burrows. We found that specific bedrock types can be used as predictors of the presence of particular study species. All Eresus spp. avoided compacted soils. However, when present in soils with very low penetration resistance, they were limited to sites with high soil cohesion. The burrows of all study species were located at well-drained sites. The study species seemed to be selective for a steppe-like character of their microhabitat but not necessarily for its southward orientation. We found the study species even at sites where steppes were present in the early 1950s and that underwent later afforestation but not extensive landscaping or plowing. What types of disturbances can be sustained by the study species and how long it takes the decreased populations to recover after, e.g., trampling associated with grazing, remain to be investigated.     

Taxonomic review and phylogenetic analysis of fifteen North American Entomobrya (Collembola,Entomobryidae), including four new species

The chaetotaxy of 15 species of eastern North American Entomobrya is redescribed in order to determine potential characters for the diagnosis of cryptic lineages and evaluate the diagnostic and phylogenetic utility of chaetotaxy. As a result, four new species (Entomobrya citrensis Katz & Soto-Adames, sp. n., Entomobrya jubata Katz & Soto-Adames, sp. n., Entomobrya neotenica Katz & Soto-Adames, sp. n. and Entomobrya unifasciata Katz & Soto-Adames, sp. n.) are described, and new diagnoses are provided for Entomobrya assuta Folsom, Entomobrya atrocincta Schött, Entomobrya decemfasciata (Packard), Entomobrya ligata Folsom, Entomobrya multifasciata (Tullberg), and Entomobrya quadrilineata (Bueker). Furthermore, previously undocumented levels of intraspecific variation in macrosetal pattern are reported, tempering the exclusive use of chaetotaxy for species delimitation. Phylogenetic relationships, estimated using both morphological and molecular data, indicate that Entomobrya is likely paraphyletic. The phylogenies also suggest that unreliable character homology, likely fostered by Entomobrya’s profusion of macrosetae, may limit the phylogenetic utility of chaetotaxy in groups characterized by an abundance of dorsal macrosetae.     

Sexual competition in an inbreeding social spider,Stegodyphus dumicola (Araneae: Eresidae)

Summary Sexual competition is shown to occur in the social spiderStegodyphus dumicola (Eresidae). While the secondary sex ratio inS. dumicola was female-biased, the overall operational sex ratio (numbers of breeding males to breeding females over the season) showed no strong female bias. Males matured before females and had a shorter lifespan than the females. Mating took place in the natal colony. Males fought over access to the few mature females available early in the reproductive season, but females appeared to control the duration of mating. Later in the season, some adults of both sexes dispersed alone to breed elsewhere. We conclude that different rates of maturation between the sexes within a colony provide the opportunity for females that mature early in the season to be choosy in selecting a mate and this forces males to compete. Early reproduction may be beneficial for both females and males, because the offspring of females that reproduce early may have a competitive advantage over later (and smaller) offspring in the colony.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in the subsocial spider Stegodyphus lineatus (Araneae: Eresidae)

Stegodyphus lineatus spiders live in groups consisting of closely related individuals. There appears to be no discrimination against related individuals as mates but females mate multiply, despite the fact that matings are shown to carry a cost. We have developed eight polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite markers that allow us to assess levels of heterozygosity and relatedness among individuals of this species. These molecular markers are likely to prove highly effective tools for estimating levels of inbreeding and thus allow us to test hypotheses about the relationships between social structure, mating strategies and inbreeding avoidance.     

中国隆头蛛科1新纪录属和大理隆头蛛Eresus daliensis的订正

报道了中国1新纪录属:穹蛛属Stegodyphus,并对大理隆头蛛Eresus daliensis Yang & Hu,2002的分类地位进行了订正.文中提供了详细的彩色形态特征和野外生态图.     

Dynamics of the evolution of Batesian mimicry: molecular phylogenetic analysis of ant-mimicking Myrmarachne (Araneae: Salticidae) species and their ant models

Batesian mimicry is seen as an example of evolution by natural selection, with predation as the main driving force. The mimic is under selective pressure to resemble its model, whereas it is disadvantageous for the model to be associated with the palatable mimic. In consequence one might expect there to be an evolutionary arms race, similar to the one involving host-parasite coevolution. In this study, the evolutionary dynamics of a Batesian mimicry system of model ants and ant-mimicking salticids is investigated by comparing the phylogenies of the two groups. Although Batesian mimics are expected to coevolve with their models, we found the phylogenetic patterns of the models and the mimics to be indicative of adaptive radiation by the mimic rather than co-speciation between the mimic and the model. This shows that there is strong selection pressure on Myrmarachne, leading to a high degree of polymorphism. There is also evidence of sympatric speciation in Myrmarachne, the reproductive isolation possibly driven by female mate choice in polymorphic species.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae (Arachnida, Araneae)

We present the first cladistic analysis focused at the tribal and subfamily level of the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae. The data matrix of 82 characters scored for 57 arancid genera of 6 subfamilies and 19 tribes (and 13 genera from 8 outgroup families) resulted in 16 slightly different, most parsimonious trees. Successive weighting corroborated 62 of the 66 informative nodes on these cladograms; one is recommended as the 'working' araneid phylogcny. The sister group of Araneidae is all other Araneoidea. Araneidae comprises two major clades: the subfamily Araneinae, and the 'argiopoid' clade, which includes all other subfamilies and most tribes (((Gasteracanthinae, Caerostreae), (((Micratheninae, Xylcthreae), Eruyosaccus ), (Eurycorminae, Arciinae)), Cyrlarachninae), ((Argiopinae, Cyrtophorinae), Arachnureae)). Cyrtarachneae and Mastophoreae are united in a new subfamily, Cyr-tarachninae. The spiny orb-weavers alone (Gasteracanthinae and Micratheninae) are not monophyletic. The mimetid subfamily Arciinae and the 'tetragnathid' genus Zygiella are araneids, but .Nephila (and other tetragnathids) are not. On the preferred tree, web decorations (stabilimenta) evolved 9 times within 15 genera, and were lost once. The use of silk to subdue prey evolved once in cribellate and four times in ecribillate orb weavers. Sexual size dimorphism evolved once in nephilines, twice in araneids, and reverted to monomorphism five times. Evolution in other genitalic and somatic characters is also assessed; behavioral and spinneret features arc most consistent (male genitalia, leg and prosomal features least consistent) on the phylogeny.     

Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the flightless Mancallinae (Aves, Pan-Alcidae)

Although flightless alcids from the Miocene and Pliocene of the eastern Pacific Ocean have been known for over 100 years, there is no detailed evaluation of diversity and systematic placement of these taxa. This is the first combined analysis of morphological and molecular data to include all extant alcids, the recently extinct Great Auk Pinguinus impennis, the mancalline auks, and a large outgroup sampling of 29 additional non-alcid charadriiforms. Based on the systematic placement of Mancallinae outside of crown clade Alcidae, the clade name Pan-Alcidae is proposed to include all known alcids. An extensive review of the Mancallinae fossil record resulted in taxonomic revision of the clade, and identification of three new species. In addition to positing the first hypothesis of inter-relationships between Mancallinae species, phylogenetic results support placement of Mancallinae as the sister taxon to all other Alcidae, indicating that flightlessness evolved at least twice in the alcid lineage. Convergent osteological characteristics of Mancallinae, the flightless Great Auk, and Spheniscidae are summarized, and implications of Mancallinae diversity, radiation, and extinction in the context of paleoclimatic changes are discussed.     

Taxonomic review of the species of Pterocladia (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta)

Segregating Pterocladiella from Pterocladia stimulated new taxonomic studies of the species originally assigned to Pterocladia. A total of 28 species are ascribed to the genus, one of them with doubts. Thirteen of the 27 names are synonyms. Three of the remaining 14 species belong with Gelidium, including G. americanum, G. mcnabbianum (Dawson) comb. nov. and G. musciformis. Seven other species belong with Pterocladiella, including P. bartlettii (Taylor) comb. nov., P. bulbosa, P. caerulescens, P. caespitosa (Kylin) comb. nov., P. caloglossoides (Howe) comb. nov., P. capillacea and P. melanoidea. Two species are retained in Pterocladia, the type P. lucida and P. rectangularis. Two others, P. heteroplatos and P. media are placed in incertae sedis as additional studies of fertile materials are needed to determine their generic status. The genus Pterocladia now appears to include two large-sized species restricted to Australia-New Zealand. Pterocladiella has 8 small-sized species (including P. minima), mainly inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters. Future research documenting sexual reproduction in Gelidiella and solving the presently recognized heterogeneity in Gelidium will help to trace the relationships between Pterocladiella and these two genera. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The protective function of the compact silk nest of social Stegodyphus spiders (Araneae,Eresidae)

Summary This study investigates the suggested protective function of the compact silken nest of two species of social Stegodyphus spiders (S. dumicola and S. mimosarum), as a possible ultimate factor for their sociogenesis. Being inhabitants of African dry thornbush country, these spiders are endangered by overheating and desiccation. In the laboratory, both species were found to avoid temperatures >40° C. In the field, temperature in the nest between 7:00 and 21:00 h tends to be higher than air-temperature outside, and between 13:00 and 15:00 h even tends to exceed 40° C. The nest thus is of no value in temperature regulation. Nor is it effective in protecting the spiders from desiccation: Both species have a body water content of 65.2±3.8% and are extremely desiccation resistant; they survived 9 days at 37°C in an exciccator with P₂O₅, with a daily average % liveweight reduction of 4.94(±1.1). In the field, relative humidity inside the nest between 11:00 and 19:00 h tends to be lower than that of the air outside. Inspection of burnt areas showed that the nest does not protect the spiders from bushfire. The nest does protect from wind, hail, and direct sun-radiation; but available natural retreats, or a simple silken shield, or the funnel-shaped silk tube inhabited by solitary Stegodyphus, have the same effect.     

Mimicry complex in two central European zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): how Zodarion deceives ants

Ant-eating spiders, Zodarion germanicum and Z. rubidum , were found to resemble ants structurally (size, colour, setosity) and behaviourally (ant-like movement, antennal illusion). Zodarion germanicum mimics large dark ants, such as Formica cinerea , whereas Z. rubidum resembles red ants, e.g. Myrmica sabuleti . Thus, these spiders are generalized Batesian mimics. The two spiders use aggressive mimicry during prey capture. When a spider carries a captured ant it will try to pass by approaching ants using special deceiving behaviour, which is based on imitation of ants' nestmate recognition. The spider first taps the antennae of the curious ant with its front legs (transmitting a tactile cue), then exposes its prey (the ant corpse) which the ant antennates (thus the corpse transmits an olfactory cue). The distal part of the front legs of Zodarion are almost without macrosetae similar to the antennae of ants. Additionally, all the other legs are covered with flattened incised setae, which imitate the dense setosity of ants' limbs. These remarkable microstructural imitations are believed to improve imitation of tactile signals by spiders. Moreover, by tapping, zodariids can presumably recognize the approaching intruder and decide whether to undertake the risk of deception or to run away. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 75 , 517–532.     

中国二种盗蛛的分类研究(蜘蛛目:盗蛛科)

本文对我国两种盗蛛：马蹄潮蛛Hygropoda hippocrepiforma Wang,1993和带形盗蛛Pisaura zonaformis Wang,1993的分类地位进行了修订。研究结果表明,马蹄溯蛛Hygropoda hippocrepiforma Wang,1993为长肢溯蛛Hygropoda higenaga(Kishida,1936)的新异名,移带形盗蛛Pisaura zonaformis Wang ,1993到东洋蛛属Polyboea,该属亦为我国新记录属。     

Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the sharpshooter genus Balacha Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellini)

Abstract. Balacha currently includes six valid described species and B. caparao sp. nov., here described from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The new taxon differs from other Balacha species in the ventrally inflated preapical aedeagal area and oblique bases of the ovipositor first valvulae. New records are as follows: B. decorata from Paraguay and Minas Gerais State (Brazil); B. distincta from Brazil; B. melanocephala from Montevideo Department (Uruguay) and Buenos Aires and Distrito Federal provinces (Argentina); and B. similis from Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states (Brazil). Colombia is considered a dubious record for the genus. Phylogenetic relationships among Balacha species are examined based on a matrix of eighteen terminal taxa and sixty‐seven morphological characters. Balacha may be defined by the following synapomorphies: crown–frons transition approximately acute, crown anteriorly produced and with anterior margin subangulate, flattened pronotum continuing contour of head and mesonotum in lateral view, and teeth of second valvulae of ovipositor with anterior dorsal projection. The genus comprises two major lineages: the red Balacha clade (B. lepida(B. distincta + B. rubripennis)), and the black Balacha clade (B. caparao(B. decorata(B. melanocephala + B. similis))). Despite the scarcity of data on host plant usage of outgroup taxa (probably generalists on Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, and Asteraceae), we believe that the shift to feeding on Eryngium(Apiaceae) occurred in the ancestor of all recent Balacha species. Their small size and depressed body appear to be adaptations to living inside the rosette‐disposed leaves, and they seem to be restriced to this microhabitat. Balacha and their Eryngium hosts occur in grasslands in temperate South America, but at lower latitudes in Brazil they are isolated in alpine meadows on peaks of the southeast highlands. Dispersal between such areas through the lowland humid Atlantic forest in recent times would be difficult, thus the ancestor of Balacha was probably distributed in southeast South America before the uplift of the mountain ranges, during the late Eocene or Oligocene. This event may have triggered speciation of some lineages of the genus by vicariance.