First description of the male of Mastophora extraordinaria Holmberg, 1876 (Araneae: araneidae), with notes on the natural historyand potentialdistribution of the species
ThegenusMastophoraHolmberg,1876isrepresented by 50 species that are distributed mainly in America and the Antilles. Males are much smaller than females and are not described in more than half of the known species of the genus. The high specificity of their diet (moths) and the prey-hunting strategy...
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| Other Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12008/39104 |
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| Summary: | ThegenusMastophoraHolmberg,1876isrepresented by 50 species that are distributed mainly in America and the Antilles. Males are much smaller than females and are not described in more than half of the known species of the genus. The high specificity of their diet (moths) and the prey-hunting strategy used by females are also characteristic of the genus. The objectives of this contribution are: to describe for the first time the male of Mastophora extraordinariaHolmberg, 1876, the type species of the genus, to provide images of live specimens and genitalia of both sexes and to give data of natural history, development, feeding and its potential distribution. We performed observations in the field and laboratory. We maintained females with their egg sacs until the adulthood of the males occurred. Males of M. extraordinaria are distinguished by having a short and curved embolus and median apophysis with a broad base and hook-shaped apex. The species was founded in tree foliages in natural forests or urban gardens. Literature data, new distribution records and the potential model show that the species has a pampasic distribution |
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