Associations between Emesinae heteropterans and spiders in limestone caves of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

Authors

  • Leonardo P. A. Resende Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Via Washington Luíz, Km 235- Jardim Guanabara, São Carlos- SP, CP: 676, 13565-905, Brasil.
  • Tamires Zepon Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Via Washington Luíz, Km 235- Jardim Guanabara, São Carlos- SP, CP: 676, 13565-905, Brasil.
  • Maria Elina Bichuette Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Via Washington Luíz, Km 235- Jardim Guanabara, São Carlos- SP, CP: 676, 13565-905, Brasil.
  • Robert B. Pape University of Arizona, Forbes 410, PO Box 210036, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0036, U.S.A.
  • Hélcio Gil-Santana Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brazil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/nbc.2016.113.01

Abstract

Emesine bugs, within several genera, are recorded from caves around the world, but have been regarded as uncommon in these habitats. Many emesines have ecological relationships with spiders, as kleptoparasites, predators, or both. However, cave emesines are apparently rarely involved in these arachnophilous relationships, and only two examples have been previously documented. Recent studies in limestone caves at Presidente Olegário in northwestern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil revealed the presence of four emesine species, two of which (Emesa mourei Wygodzinsky, 1946 and Phasmatocoris sp.) were associated with spiders, probably as kleptoparasites. The spiders recorded in these associations were Mesabolivar aff. tandilicus (Mello-Leitão, 1940) (Pholcidae) and Loxosceles similis Moenkhaus, 1898 (Sicariidae). The only non-emesine reduviid recorded in Presidente Olegário caves was Zelurus zikani (Costa Lima, 1940). We discuss these rarely recorded associations between cave emesines and spiders and the importance of protecting Presidente Olegário caves.

Keywords: Arachnophily, Reduviidae, Pholcidae, Sicariidae, subterranean environment.

Author Biographies

Leonardo P. A. Resende, Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Via Washington Luíz, Km 235- Jardim Guanabara, São Carlos- SP, CP: 676, 13565-905, Brasil.

Laboratório de Estudos Subterrâneos, Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva

Tamires Zepon, Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Via Washington Luíz, Km 235- Jardim Guanabara, São Carlos- SP, CP: 676, 13565-905, Brasil.

Laboratório de Estudos Subterrâneos, Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva

Maria Elina Bichuette, Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Via Washington Luíz, Km 235- Jardim Guanabara, São Carlos- SP, CP: 676, 13565-905, Brasil.

Laboratório de Estudos Subterrâneos, Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva

Robert B. Pape, University of Arizona, Forbes 410, PO Box 210036, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0036, U.S.A.

Department of Entomology

Hélcio Gil-Santana, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brazil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brasil.

Laboratório de Diptera

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Published

2016-07-06

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2016): September/December

Section

Articles

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