Šplhalka keřová (Anyphaena accentuata) je jedním z mála evropských zástupců čeledi Anyphaenidae. Jde o středně velkého pavouka s charakteristickou kresbou na hřbetě zadečku. Vyskytuje se na keřích a stromech, kde pátrá po své kořisti. Samci provozují neobvyklé námluvy: svými makadly a prvním párem nohou bubnují na úkryt samice a zároveň vibrují svým zadečkem, čímž vyluzují bzučivý zvuk. Šplhalka keřová se vyskytuje v teplomilných listnatých lesích, především v nižších polohách., The species Anyphaena accentuata, one of the few European representatives of the Anyphaenidae family, occur mainly in deciduous forests, in lowland areas. This medium-size spider with a characteristic colour pattern on the dorsal side of abdomen climbs bush and tree vegetation where it searches for its prey. The males exhibit an unusual mating behaviour. They drum with the pedipalps and the first pair of legs on the female’s retreat, simultaneously vibrating their abdomen, creating a buzzing noise., and Milan Řezáč.
Spiders are generalist predators that contribute to the control of pests in agroecosystems. Land use management determines habitats including refuges for hibernation and aestivation. The availability of shelters on the ground can be crucial for maintaining populations of spider within crops. We studied the effect of the number of stones on the surface of the soil on the spider community in selected olive groves in Trás-os-Montes (northeastern Portugal). The number of stones significantly influenced the overall diversity of spiders, abundance of immature individuals and abundance of ground hunters. Agricultural management practices aimed at the conservation of soil microhabitats such as hedgerows, stonewalls and stones on the ground should be promoted in order to maintain or increase the number of shelters for potential natural enemies of pests., Jacinto Benhadi-Marín, José A. Pereira, José A. Barrientos, José P. Sousa, Sónia A.P. Santos., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Vnitrodruhová variabilita v chování zvířat, tj. personalita, výrazně ovlivňuje ekologické i evoluční procesy. V tomto článku se pojednává o tom, jak může personalita vzniknout u pavouků a její vliv na potravní sítě., Inter-individual behavioural differences, i.e. personalities, play a very important role in eco-evolutionary processes. Here, we describe how spiders’ personalities arise and how they influence the dynamics of food webs., and Radek Michalko.
Many insects masquerade as parts of plants, such as bark or leaves, or mimic poisonous organisms in order to defend themselves against predators. However, recent studies indicate that plants may mimic insects and other arthropods to deter herbivores. Here, I report visually similar white structures of plants and arthropods in Japan and suggest they are part of a mimicry complex. Young shoots covered with white trichomes or waxy substances may mimic wax-producing insects, such as woolly aphids, coccids and caterpillars, potentially resulting in reduced herbivory. Since wax-producing insects would reduce plant quality and quantity, be distasteful and attract natural enemies, herbivorous insects and mammals may avoid such white shoots. Furthermore, fungus-infected insects, gregarious braconid cocoons, spider egg sacs and froth made by froghopper nymphs or blasticotomid sawfly larvae are also conspicuously white and impose risks for herbivorous insects. Thus, these white structures may be mimicry models for white shoots and are likely to be part of a defensive mimicry complex. Although this study focuses on defence against herbivores, there are simultaneous physiological roles for white colouration that will not be discussed in depth here., Kazuo Yamazaki., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The Yellow Sack Spider (Cheiracanthium punctorium) is a well-known species native to the Czech Republic. Several reports of its painful bite have gained much publicity. The species was considered to be very rare until the end of the 20th century. We provide information on the distribution, spread and ecology of this spider in the Czech Republic. Several cases of biting and its subsequent symptoms are described, and the toxicity of the spider is discussed. and Ondřej Košulič, Jan Korba, Jan Dolanský.