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Zaffaroni FT, Sandoval AE, Marti GA, Cheli GH. First winter record of Latrodectus mirabilis (Araneae: Theridiidae) in arid Patagonia: A consequence of climate change and urbanization? Acta Trop 2024; 252:107147. [PMID: 38346629 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Cases of araneism reported in the province of Chubut (Argentina) have tripled in the last two decades, and almost 80 % of them involve Latrodectus mirabilis (Holmberg) (Araneae: Theridiidae). According to descriptions of the life cycle of this species in Argentina, the low temperatures typical of autumn-winter cause the death of all adult spiders, so that no adult specimens of L. mirabilis are observed in winter. Field samplings, observations by the Grupo de Entomología Patagónica (GENTPAT, IPEEC CCT CENPAT CONICET), and citizen reports for more than 15 years suggested a similar cycle in northeastern Patagonia. However, for the last three consecutive years, we have recorded adult females in the field throughout the Patagonian winter. Some of these individuals even survived the winter and were alive the following spring. The purpose of this note is to report the field presence of adult female specimens of L. mirabilis in the outskirts of the city of Puerto Madryn (Chubut, Argentina) during the last three consecutive winters corresponding to the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; and to note that at least two of them survived the winter, arriving alive (and in good condition) the following spring. Given the medical importance of this spider, the publication of this information, the context of the findings, and their ecological implications will help to prevent its spread and reduce the likelihood of accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Facundo Tomas Zaffaroni
- Instituto Patagónico Para el Estudio de Los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC-CONICET), Boulevard Almirante Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn U9120, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Esther Sandoval
- Departamento de Zooantroponosis, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Chubut, Mariano Moreno 555, Rawson U9103, Argentina
| | - Gerardo Aníbal Marti
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-CCT- La Plata-CONICET-UNLP), Boulevard 120 1900, La Plata B1900, Argentina
| | - Germán Horacio Cheli
- Instituto Patagónico Para el Estudio de Los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC-CONICET), Boulevard Almirante Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn U9120, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Boulevard Almirante Brown 3051, Puerto Madryn U9120ACD, Argentina.
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2
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Bach A, Raub F, Höfer H, Ottermanns R, Roß-Nickoll M. ARAapp: filling gaps in the ecological knowledge of spiders using an automated and dynamic approach to analyze systematically collected community data. Database (Oxford) 2024; 2024:baae004. [PMID: 38306294 PMCID: PMC10836506 DOI: 10.1093/database/baae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The ARAMOB data repository compiles meticulously curated spider community datasets from systematical collections, ensuring a high standard of data quality. These datasets are enriched with crucial methodological data that enable the datasets to be aligned in time and space, facilitating data synthesis across studies, respectively, collections. To streamline the analysis of these datasets in a species-specific context, a suite of tailored ecological analysis tools named ARAapp has been developed. By harnessing the capabilities of ARAapp, users can systematically evaluate the spider species data housed within the ARAMOB repository, elucidating intricate relationships with a range of parameters such as vertical stratification, habitat occurrence, ecological niche parameters (moisture and shading) and phenological patterns. Database URL: ARAapp is available at www.aramob.de/en.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Bach
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Florian Raub
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Erbprinzenstr. 13, Karlsruhe 76133, Germany
| | - Hubert Höfer
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Erbprinzenstr. 13, Karlsruhe 76133, Germany
| | - Richard Ottermanns
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Martina Roß-Nickoll
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, Aachen 52074, Germany
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3
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Ang SBH, Lam WN, Png GK, Tan SKB, Lee BPYH, Khoo M, Luskin MS, Wardle DA, Slade EM. Isopod mouthpart traits respond to a tropical forest recovery gradient. Oecologia 2024; 204:147-159. [PMID: 38151651 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05494-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Functional trait ecology has the potential to provide generalizable and mechanistic predictions of ecosystem function from data of species distributions and traits. The traits that are selected should both respond to environmental factors and influence ecosystem functioning. Invertebrate mouthpart traits fulfill these criteria, but are seldom collected, lack standardized measurement protocols, and have infrequently been investigated in response to environmental factors. We surveyed isopod species that consume plant detritus, and tree communities in 58 plots across primary and secondary forests in Singapore. We measured body dimensions (body size traits), pereopod and antennae lengths (locomotory traits), dimensions of mandible structures (morphological mouthpart traits), and mechanical advantages generated by mandible shape (mechanical mouthpart traits) for six isopod species found in these plots and investigated if these traits respond to changes in tree community composition, tree diversity, and forest structure. Morphological mouthpart traits responded to a tree compositional gradient reflecting forest recovery degree. Mouthpart features associated with greater consumption of litter (broader but less serrated/rugose lacinia mobilis [an important cutting and chewing structure on the mandible]) were most prevalent in abandoned plantation and young secondary forests containing disturbance-associated tree species. Feeding strategies associated with fungi grazing (narrower and more serrated/rugose lacinia mobilis) were most prevalent in late secondary forests containing later successional tree species. Since morphological mouthpart traits likely also predict consumption and excretion rates of isopods, these traits advance our understanding of environment-trait-ecosystem functioning relationships across contrasting tropical forest plots that vary in composition, disturbance history, and post-disturbance recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn B H Ang
- The Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Weng Ngai Lam
- The Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore.
| | - G Kenny Png
- The Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Sylvia K B Tan
- The Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Benjamin P Y-H Lee
- Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Parks Board 1 Cluny Road, Singapore, 259569, Republic of Singapore
| | - Max Khoo
- Wildlife Management Division, National Parks Board, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore, 259569, Republic of Singapore
| | - Matthew S Luskin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - David A Wardle
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eleanor M Slade
- The Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Republic of Singapore
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4
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Kulkarni S, Wood HM, Hormiga G. Advances in the reconstruction of the spider tree of life: A roadmap for spider systematics and comparative studies. Cladistics 2023; 39:479-532. [PMID: 37787157 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade and a half, advances in genetic sequencing technologies have revolutionized systematics, transforming the field from studying morphological characters or a few genetic markers, to genomic datasets in the phylogenomic era. A plethora of molecular phylogenetic studies on many taxonomic groups have come about, converging on, or refuting prevailing morphology or legacy-marker-based hypotheses about evolutionary affinities. Spider systematics has been no exception to this transformation and the inter-relationships of several groups have now been studied using genomic data. About 51 500 extant spider species have been described, all with a conservative body plan, but innumerable morphological and behavioural peculiarities. Inferring the spider tree of life using morphological data has been a challenging task. Molecular data have corroborated many hypotheses of higher-level relationships, but also resulted in new groups that refute previous hypotheses. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the reconstruction of the spider tree of life and highlight areas where additional effort is needed with potential solutions. We base this review on the most comprehensive spider phylogeny to date, representing 131 of the 132 spider families. To achieve this sampling, we combined six Sanger-based markers with newly generated and publicly available genome-scale datasets. We find that some inferred relationships between major lineages of spiders (such as Austrochiloidea, Palpimanoidea and Synspermiata) are robust across different classes of data. However, several new hypotheses have emerged with different classes of molecular data. We identify and discuss the robust and controversial hypotheses and compile this blueprint to design future studies targeting systematic revisions of these problematic groups. We offer an evolutionary framework to explore comparative questions such as evolution of venoms, silk, webs, morphological traits and reproductive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Kulkarni
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2029 G St. NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 1000 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20560, USA
| | - Hannah M Wood
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 1000 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20560, USA
| | - Gustavo Hormiga
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2029 G St. NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
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5
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Ganem Z, Ferrante M, Lubin Y, Armiach Steinpress I, Gish M, Sharon R, Harari AR, Keasar T, Gavish-Regev E. Effects of Natural Habitat and Season on Cursorial Spider Assemblages in Mediterranean Vineyards. INSECTS 2023; 14:782. [PMID: 37887794 PMCID: PMC10607350 DOI: 10.3390/insects14100782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Natural habitats adjacent to vineyards are presumed to have a positive effect on the diversity of natural enemies within the vineyards. However, these habitats differ in vegetation structure and seasonal phenology and in turn could affect the species composition of natural enemies. Here, we compared the species richness and diversity and the composition of spider assemblages in several locations within three commercial vineyards and the nearby natural habitats in a Mediterranean landscape in northern Israel. We sampled spiders by means of pitfall traps in early and in late summer. Both the time in the season and the habitat (natural versus vineyard) affected spider species richness and diversity. More species were found in early summer (47) than in late summer (33), and more occurred in the natural habitat (34 species) than in the vineyards (27-31 species). Fifteen species were found exclusively in the natural habitat, and only 11 species were shared by the vineyards and natural habitat, four of which were the most abundant and geographically widely distributed species in the samples. In late summer, spider diversity in the natural habitat was higher than within the vineyards: the spider assemblages in the vineyards became dominated by a few species late in the crop season, while those of the natural habitat remained stable. Overall, the natural habitat differed in assemblage composition from all within-vineyard locations, while the three locations within the vineyard did not differ significantly in assemblage composition. Season (early vs. late summer), however, significantly affected the spider assemblage composition. This study documents the large diversity of spiders in a local Mediterranean vineyard agroecosystem. Over 60% of the known spider families in the region occurred in our samples, highlighting the importance of this agroecosystem for spider diversity and the potential for conservation biocontrol, where natural habitats may be a source of natural enemies for nearby vineyards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeana Ganem
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel
| | - Marco Ferrante
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, University of the Azores, Angra do Heroísmo, 9700-042 Azores, Portugal
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Yael Lubin
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Igor Armiach Steinpress
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Moshe Gish
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3103301, Israel
| | - Rakefet Sharon
- Northern R&D, MIGAL-Galilee Technology Center and Tel-Hai Academic College, Qiryat Shemona 1220800, Israel
| | - Ally R Harari
- Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 7505101, Israel
| | - Tamar Keasar
- Department of Biology and the Environment, University of Haifa-Oranim, Tivon 3600600, Israel
| | - Efrat Gavish-Regev
- The National Natural History Collections, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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6
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Måsviken J, Dalén L, Norén K, Dalerum F. The relative importance of abiotic and biotic environmental conditions for taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of spiders across spatial scales. Oecologia 2023; 202:261-273. [PMID: 37261510 PMCID: PMC10307692 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05383-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Both abiotic and biotic conditions may be important for biodiversity. However, their relative importance may vary among different diversity dimensions as well as across spatial scales. Spiders (Araneae) offer an ecologically relevant system for evaluating variation in the relative strength abiotic and biotic biodiversity regulation. We quantified the relative importance of abiotic and biotic conditions for three diversity dimensions of spider communities quantified across two spatial scales. Spiders were surveyed along elevation gradients in northern Sweden. We focused our analysis on geomorphological and climatic conditions as well as vegetation characteristics, and quantified the relative importance of these conditions for the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of spider communities sampled across one intermediate (500 m) and one local (25 m) scale. There were stronger relationships among diversity dimensions at the local than the intermediate scale. There were also variation in the relative influence of abiotic and biotic conditions among diversity dimensions, but this variation was not consistent across spatial scales. Across both spatial scales, vegetation was related to all diversity dimensions whereas climate was important for phylogenetic and functional diversity. Our study does not fully support stronger abiotic regulation at coarser scales, and conversely stronger abiotic regulation at more local scales. Instead, our results indicate that community assembly is shaped by interactions between abiotic constrains in species distributions and biotic conditions, and that such interactions may be both scale and context dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Måsviken
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Love Dalén
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Norén
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias-CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, Research Building, Mieres Campus, 33600, Mieres, Spain.
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa.
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7
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Stefancsik R, Balhoff JP, Balk MA, Ball R, Bello SM, Caron AR, Chessler E, de Souza V, Gehrke S, Haendel M, Harris LW, Harris NL, Ibrahim A, Koehler S, Matentzoglu N, McMurry JA, Mungall CJ, Munoz-Torres MC, Putman T, Robinson P, Smedley D, Sollis E, Thessen AE, Vasilevsky N, Walton DO, Osumi-Sutherland D. The Ontology of Biological Attributes (OBA) - Computational Traits for the Life Sciences. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.26.525742. [PMID: 36747660 PMCID: PMC9900877 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.26.525742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Existing phenotype ontologies were originally developed to represent phenotypes that manifest as a character state in relation to a wild-type or other reference. However, these do not include the phenotypic trait or attribute categories required for the annotation of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mappings or any population-focused measurable trait data. Moreover, variations in gene expression in response to environmental disturbances even without any genetic alterations can also be associated with particular biological attributes. The integration of trait and biological attribute information with an ever increasing body of chemical, environmental and biological data greatly facilitates computational analyses and it is also highly relevant to biomedical and clinical applications. The Ontology of Biological Attributes (OBA) is a formalised, species-independent collection of interoperable phenotypic trait categories that is intended to fulfil a data integration role. OBA is a standardised representational framework for observable attributes that are characteristics of biological entities, organisms, or parts of organisms. OBA has a modular design which provides several benefits for users and data integrators, including an automated and meaningful classification of trait terms computed on the basis of logical inferences drawn from domain-specific ontologies for cells, anatomical and other relevant entities. The logical axioms in OBA also provide a previously missing bridge that can computationally link Mendelian phenotypes with GWAS and quantitative traits. The term components in OBA provide semantic links and enable knowledge and data integration across specialised research community boundaries, thereby breaking silos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Stefancsik
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - James P. Balhoff
- Renaissance Computing Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
| | - Meghan A. Balk
- National Ecological Observatory Network, Battelle, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Robyn Ball
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | | | - Anita R. Caron
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
| | | | - Vinicius de Souza
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Sarah Gehrke
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Melissa Haendel
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Laura W. Harris
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Nomi L. Harris
- Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Arwa Ibrahim
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
| | | | | | - Julie A. McMurry
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christopher J. Mungall
- Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - Tim Putman
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | - Damian Smedley
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Elliot Sollis
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Anne E Thessen
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nicole Vasilevsky
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Nardi D, Giannone F, Marini L. Short-term response of ground-dwelling arthropods to storm-related disturbances is mediated by topography and dispersal. Basic Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Milano F, Borio L, Komposch C, Mammola S, Pantini P, Pavlek M, Isaia M. Species conservation profiles of the endemic spiders Troglohyphantes (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from the Alps and the north-western Dinarides. Biodivers Data J 2022; 10:e87261. [PMID: 36761670 PMCID: PMC9848466 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.10.e87261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The genus Troglohyphantes Joseph, 1882 (Araneae, Linyphiidae) includes 131 species, mainly distributed across the main European mountain ranges. The Alps and the north-western Dinarides account for 66 species, most of them showing narrow or even point-like distributions. The majority of Troglohyphantes spiders dwell in subterranean habitats including caves, mines, soil litter, rocky debris and other moist and shaded retreats. Despite being intensively studied from taxonomic, ecological and biogeographic standpoints, knowledge on the status of conservation and on the potential risk of extinction of these spiders is lagging. To date, only three species have been included in the global IUCN Red List, but their status has not been updated ever since their last assessment in 1996. The aim of this contribution is to assess the Alpine and north-western Dinaric species of the genus Troglohyphantes and to re-assess the species previously evaluated, according to the last version of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. New information Amongst the 66 species here considered, 62 had sufficient data to allow the quantification of their Extent Of Occurrence (EOO) and Area Of Occupancy (AOO). Most of the species have a narrow distribution range, with an estimated EOO < 20,000 km2 and AOO < 2,000 km2, meeting the thresholds for the inclusion in the threatened categories. Five species have a more widespread distribution (EOO > 20,000 km2), extending across multiple countries. The quality of the data on distribution of four species was not sufficient to provide a reliable estimation of the distribution range.A continuing decline in EOO, AOO and habitat quality was inferred for 30 species. The majority of them were subterranean specialised species, with a reduced thermal tolerance and a low dispersal ability. Accordingly, changes in subterranean microclimatic conditions due to climate change represent a major threat for these species. Land-use change and habitat alteration were identified as additional relevant threats for several species.A considerable proportion of the species here assessed was found in protected areas and in sites of the Natura 2000 network. In addition, 14 species are formally protected by national and sub-national legislation. At present, 25 species are listed in the regional Red Lists.Long-term monitoring programmes, management plans for both the species and their habitats, expansion of the extant protected areas and designation of new ones, should be considered as the most effective approaches to species conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Milano
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Luca Borio
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Christian Komposch
- ÖKOTEAM – Institute for Animal Ecology and Landscape Planning, Graz, AustriaÖKOTEAM – Institute for Animal Ecology and Landscape PlanningGrazAustria
| | - Stefano Mammola
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Verbania Pallanza, ItalyWater Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR)Verbania PallanzaItaly,Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandFinnish Museum of Natural History, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Paolo Pantini
- Museo Civico di Scienze Naturali “E. Caffi.”, Bergamo, ItalyMuseo Civico di Scienze Naturali “E. Caffi.”BergamoItaly
| | - Martina Pavlek
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, CroatiaRuđer Bošković InstituteZagrebCroatia,Croatian Biospeleological Society, Zagreb, CroatiaCroatian Biospeleological SocietyZagrebCroatia
| | - Marco Isaia
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of TurinTurinItaly
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10
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Pekár S, Ortiz D, Sentenská L, Šedo O. Ecological specialization and reproductive isolation among closely related sympatric ant-eating spiders. J Anim Ecol 2022; 91:1855-1868. [PMID: 35765936 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Biological divergence results from several mechanisms. Defensive mechanisms, such as Batesian mimicry, can cause reproductive isolation via temporal segregation in foraging activity, particularly, in species that closely associate with their model. This seems to be the case of ant-eating spiders, which can be inaccurate Batesian mimics of their prey. Here, we focused on Zodarion nitidum, which has two forms occurring in sympatry, black and yellow. Given the expected noticeable impact of their colour differences on the spiders' interactions with their potential predators and prey, we investigated whether these morphotypes have diverged in other aspects of their biology. We measured the two morphotypes' phenotypic resemblance to a mimetic model, tested whether they were protected from predators, investigated their circadian activity, surveyed the prey they hunted, modelled their distributions, performed crossing experiments and estimated their degree of genetic differentiation. We found that the black morphotype is ant-like, resembling Messor ants, and it was not distinguishable from their ant models by four potential predators. In contrast, the yellow morphotype seems to use predator avoidance as a defensive strategy. Additionally, the two morphotypes differ in their circadian activity, the yellow morphotype being nocturnal and the black one being diurnal. The two morphotypes hunt and associate with different ant prey and possess marked differences in venom composition. Finally, crossing trials showed complete pre-mating isolation between the two morphotypes, but there was no evidence of genetic (mitochondrial data) or environmental niche differentiation. We conclude that the two morphotypes show evidence of a deep differentiation in morphological, behavioural, physiological and ecological traits that evolved together as part of the spider's diverging lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stano Pekár
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Ortiz
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Sentenská
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Šedo
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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11
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A trait database and updated checklist for European subterranean spiders. Sci Data 2022; 9:236. [PMID: 35618868 PMCID: PMC9135732 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Species traits are an essential currency in ecology, evolution, biogeography, and conservation biology. However, trait databases are unavailable for most organisms, especially those living in difficult-to-access habitats such as caves and other subterranean ecosystems. We compiled an expert-curated trait database for subterranean spiders in Europe using both literature data (including grey literature published in many different languages) and direct morphological measurements whenever specimens were available to us. We started by updating the checklist of European subterranean spiders, now including 512 species across 20 families, of which at least 192 have been found uniquely in subterranean habitats. For each of these species, we compiled 64 traits. The trait database encompasses morphological measures, including several traits related to subterranean adaptation, and ecological traits referring to habitat preference, dispersal, and feeding strategies. By making these data freely available, we open up opportunities for exploring different research questions, from the quantification of functional dimensions of subterranean adaptation to the study of spatial patterns in functional diversity across European caves. Measurement(s) | morphological trait • ecological trait | Technology Type(s) | literature extraction • observation | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Agelenidae • Amaurobiidae • Anapidae • Cybaeidae • Dysderidae • Hahniidae • Leptonetidae • Linyphiidae • Liocranidae • Mysmenidae • Nesticidae • Pholcidae • Pimoidae • Segestriidae • Sicariidae • Sparassidae • Symphytognathidae • Telemidae • Tetragnathidae • Theridiidae | Sample Characteristic - Environment | caves • subterranean habitats | Sample Characteristic - Location | Europe |
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Variation in abundance and life-history traits of two congeneric Arctic wolf spider species, Pardosa hyperborea and Pardosa furcifera, along local environmental gradients. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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OUP accepted manuscript. Syst Biol 2022; 71:1487-1503. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Isaia M, Arnedo MA, Mammola S. A multi-layered approach uncovers overlooked taxonomic and physiological diversity in Alpine subterranean spiders (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Troglohyphantes). INVERTEBR SYST 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/is21054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Mammola S, Pétillon J, Hacala A, Monsimet J, Marti S, Cardoso P, Lafage D. Challenges and opportunities of species distribution modelling of terrestrial arthropod predators. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mammola
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe) Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS) University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (RSA) National Research Council (CNR) Verbania Pallanza Italy
| | | | - Axel Hacala
- UMR ECOBIO Université de Rennes 1 Rennes France
| | - Jérémy Monsimet
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad Koppang Norway
| | | | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe) Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS) University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Denis Lafage
- UMR ECOBIO Université de Rennes 1 Rennes France
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences/Biology Karlstad University Karlstad Sweden
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