Frontiers in Arachnid Science最新文献

{"title":"The function of web decorations in orb web spiders","authors":"André Walter","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2024.1384128","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2024.1384128","url":null,"abstract":"Visual signal, mechanical reinforcement, protein storage, or non-functional stress response? Web decorations constructed by a number of orb web spider species puzzle behavioural ecologists. While some species use a variety of construction materials, it seems particularly difficult to solve the issue for silk decorations. The visual pattern of decoration structures has sparked the researchers’ imagination, and the conclusion that they act as signals is unsurprising. For over a century, however, we have not found a conclusive answer on a specific signal function of silk decorations. More recent studies even suggest that the construction mode of web decorations may render a specific signal function rather unlikely. In this review, I discuss reasons for the continuous struggle to find conclusive answers and what could be alternative routes for unravelling their adaptive significance. Based on my own experience in the field, I present a personal viewpoint, which I hope will be inspiring at a stage where research in this field seems to have reached a dead end. We are faced with a controversial debate, inconclusive and sometimes contradicting results; and an interest in new studies is fading. I draw the attention to three trouble areas, covering research gaps, logical inconsistencies and conceptual misunderstandings. More specifically: 1) Web decorations should be treated more as the dependent variable. 2) Experimental setups of several earlier studies appear flawed in retrospect, and their results thus overinterpreted. 3) We have not understood the evolutionary origin of web decoration. We may look at a signal that is still in an early phase of shaping, and inconclusive results may thus be inevitable. Finally, if web decorations do not act as signals, studies that look for exactly that cannot find conclusive results. In discussing these issues critically, I argue, we can open new routes for progress in finding a satisfying solution of the riddle of the silk decoration function.","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"63 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140747277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Updated distribution of Zoropsis spinimana (Dufour, 1820; Araneae: Zoropsidae) in Germany and novel insights into its ecology based on a citizen science survey","authors":"Alexander Wirth, Gaby Schulemann-Maier","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2024.1383339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2024.1383339","url":null,"abstract":"In Germany, Zoropsis spinimana (Dufour, 1820) is an introduced, likely synanthropic spider species. Here, we report the results of a nationwide mapping appeal conducted by the citizen science platform NABU-naturgucker.de, used to assemble live distributional data for the species in Germany. With the help of media interest in this species, we gathered a valuable dataset and a large image gallery of the species. In just five weeks, we received more than 15,000 records, representing a 2.3-fold increase in occupied territory compared to previous knowledge. By analyzing the data in detail, we obtained novel insights into the ecology and eco-geography of Z. spinimana in Germany, including information on prey, coloration, potential predators, altitudinal distribution and temporal appearance, along with two cases of accidental human translocation.","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"127 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140237626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The function of mating plugs in the spider Neriene emphana: mating strategy or sperm protection?","authors":"Shuang Tian, Heng Jiang, Yongjia Zhan, Qingqing Wu, Matjaž Kuntner, Lihong Tu","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2023.1211418","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1211418","url":null,"abstract":"It is generally thought that mating plugs, where present, impede or reduce the possibilities of female subsequent mating. Behavioral studies on numerous spiders, where mating plugs are common, have generally supported this function. However, mating plugs in spiders could plausibly serve other functions as well. Namely, the structure of entelegyne spermathecae—the morphology of most spiders—could require a mechanism that would prevent sperm from leakage, desiccation, and backflow. Although the form and function of mating plugs in several spider species imply their potential adaptation for sperm protection, this function has never been empirically tested.Here, we test whether mating plugs in the sheet-web spider Neriene emphana serve as a sperm protective device by investigating its genital morphology, its copulation process, and the precise formation of its amorphous mating plugs. This species constructs secretion plugs through male-female cooperation. Additionally, we found sperm plugs to be formed as a side product of sperm transfer, as well as an intermediate type of secretion plugs. These plug materials are transferred in different mating stages as documented by variations in the rhythm of male palpal application during copulation. We showed that complete copulations always resulted in formation of secretion plugs at spermathecal entrances via laborious deposition of male materials. While our findings do not reject that secretion plugs in N. emphana prevent females from subsequent mating, we suggest that they must have evolved to provide sperm protection.","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139215835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grand challenges in arachnid toxinology and biochemistry","authors":"Volker Herzig","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2023.1302040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1302040","url":null,"abstract":"SPECIALTY GRAND CHALLENGE article Front. Arachn. Sci., 12 October 2023Sec. Arachnid Toxinology and Biochemistry Volume 2 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1302040","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"37 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135968686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial microbiota of three commercially mass-reared predatory mite species (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae): pathogenic and beneficial interactions","authors":"Jason C. Sumner-Kalkun, Ian Baxter, M. Alejandra Perotti","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2023.1242716","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1242716","url":null,"abstract":"Phytoseiidae predatory mites are used as biological control agents in glasshouse environments to control pestiferous mites and insects. The influence of the microbiomes on these mites within mass-reared facilities is largely unknown; this study aims to improve our understanding of the Phytoseiidae microbiome. We used Sanger sequencing and traditional culturing methods to characterise the dominant species within the external and internal bacterial microbiotas of three commercially reared predatory mites: Phytoseiulus persimilis , Typhlodromips (=Amblyseius) swirskii , and Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) cucumeris. The effects of selected bacterial taxa on the survival, voracity, and oviposition of P. persimilis under lab conditions were also examined. A total of 34 different OTUs were found from three phyla (Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes), 12 families, and 22 genera. N. cucumeris had 17 OTUs, compared to 15 from P. persimilis and 12 from T. swirskii . Significant differences were found between internal and external microbiota for each mite species, suggesting functional differences. Principal component analysis (PCA) of bacterial diversity between mite species showed that T. swirskii and N. cucumeris microbiotas were more similar, compared to P. persimilis . This could be due to the characteristics of the environment in which N. cucumeris and T. swirskii are reared, and the use of factitious Astigmata prey. Phytoseiidae microbiotas were found to contain bacterial taxa previously isolated from Astigmata mites. Also, Acaricomes phytoseiuli was isolated from the integument of P. persimilis and T. swirskii ; this bacterium has previously been suggested as a pathogen of P. persimilis . Bacteria from gut extracts and body surfaces were cultured and selected taxa were inoculated onto P. persimilis within controlled leaf disc experiments. Of the seven bacterial species tested, Serratia marcescens significantly reduced mite survival, voracity, and oviposition; however, a closely related species, Serratia odorifera , significantly increased mite voracity. Mites showed the highest survival rates and highest mean ages at death in the presence of Elizabethkingia sp. and Staphylococcus kloosii , but these results were not significantly different to the control. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of benefits to mass rearing and the health of predatory mites in these systems.","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"66 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135425104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unmasking trends and drivers of the international arachnid trade","authors":"V. Herzig, Tobias J. Hauke, T. Lüddecke","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2023.1161383","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1161383","url":null,"abstract":"The global biodiversity crisis represents a major threat to humanity, with the worldwide animal trade being identified as a major driving force. Although vertebrate trade has been subject to intensified research, the extent of invertebrate trade remains understudied. Recent analyses of arachnids (i.e., spiders and scorpions) suggest that there is a large and still-expanding international market which has the potential to threaten natural populations. Whether or not captive breeding has the potential to decrease collection pressure on wild arachnid populations has not been investigated, nor have the temporal dynamics or the trade purposes of arachnids been examined.We herein seek to broaden our understanding of these areas by analyzing arachnid import and export data from two major international wildlife trade databases (CITES and LEMIS).Historically, a large proportion of tarantulas and scorpions have been traded for the pet sector. Our analysis of the LEMIS data shows that imports of pet arachnids have declined by up to 55% in the past decade. Furthermore, an annual breakdown of US imports shows that at least 43% of specimens are not traded as pets but for other purposes, including research, souvenirs, and traditional medicine, with the souvenir sector experiencing an unprecedented growth. CITES data for protected tarantulas, but not scorpions, further indicate a shift toward trade with captive-bred specimens.These trends need to be considered in efforts to conserve natural populations. Coordinated captive breeding may represent a path toward increased sustainability by meeting the demand for traded arachnids and also providing an important resource for scientific research across disciplines.","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"44 8","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120993669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grand challenges in arachnid microbiota and diseases","authors":"A. Cabezas-Cruz","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2023.1215831","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1215831","url":null,"abstract":"COPYRIGHT © 2023 Cabezas-Cruz. This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. TYPE Specialty Grand Challenge PUBLISHED 20 June 2023 DOI 10.3389/frchs.2023.1215831","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129232265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scorpion venom and its adaptive role against pathogens: a case study in Centruroides granosus Thorell, 1876 and Escherichia coli","authors":"Dumas Gálvez, Eleodoro Bonilla, Carlos Vega","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2023.1166039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1166039","url":null,"abstract":"Scorpion venoms have been studied extensively, mostly aimed at applications for human health, with strong evidence of antimicrobial properties. However, ecological studies on the adaptive role of these antimicrobial properties have been mostly neglected. Here, this study investigated in the scorpion Centruroides granosus Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) whether the venom provided protection against the consumption of crickets injected with a pathogenic strain of the bacteria Escherichia coli. Preventing venom injection when consuming contaminated prey decreased scorpion survival as compared to their controls (phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection) and scorpions that injected the venom. Scorpions that injected the venom did not show lower survival when consuming contaminated prey as compared to their own control, and there was no difference in survival for the controls of scorpions that were prevented or allowed to inject the venom. Altogether, the results highlight the adaptive benefit of the venom for scorpions when coping with potentially hazardous prey. The implications of the findings are discussed, and this work seeks to encourage more work on the neglected field of venom evolutionary ecology of scorpions and other arthropods.","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125550866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grand challenges in research on arachnid diversity, conservation, and biogeography","authors":"I. Agnarsson","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2023.1101141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2023.1101141","url":null,"abstract":"COPYRIGHT © 2023 Agnarsson. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. TYPE Specialty Grand Challenge PUBLISHED 07 February 2023 DOI 10.3389/frchs.2023.1101141","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133225881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grand challenges and bold opportunities in arachnid ecology and behavior","authors":"P. Schausberger","doi":"10.3389/frchs.2022.1097945","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2022.1097945","url":null,"abstract":"COPYRIGHT © 2022 Schausberger. This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. TYPE Specialty Grand Challenge PUBLISHED 22 December 2022 DOI 10.3389/frchs.2022.1097945","PeriodicalId":129450,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Arachnid Science","volume":"52 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123567910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}