First Characterization of the Behavioral Repertory in a Ricinuleid: Cryptocellus narino Platnick & Paz 1979 (Arachnida, Ricinulei, Ricinoididae)

Abstract

Ricinuleids are considered one of the most enigmatic and neglected arachnid orders. The low diversity and poor local abundance of several species, makes the study of most aspects related to biology and behavior of this group very difficult. Most of the current knowledge related to ricinuleid biology relies on anecdotal observations. So far, no published studies exist that describe in detail ricinuleid behavior. Here we present the behavioral repertory of a ricinuleid, the Neotropical species Cryptocellus narino. Eighteen individuals (six males, six females and six immatures) were examined under laboratory conditions to describe and quantify their behavioral repertory and its variation along the day. The behavioral repertory in males exhibited a higher number of behavioral acts when compared to females and immatures. The most frequent J Insect Behav behavioral categories were "resting", "exploring" and "feeding". "Resting" was the most common behavior during the photophase, while "feeding" and "exploring" were the most common during scotophase, suggesting this species is predominantly nocturnal. This study also provides behaviors previously not known for this group as well as a description of the daily schedule. We expect this work will become a baseline study for further research on ricinuleid ethology.

A review of Burmese amber arachnids

“…Some specimens in Burmese amber show aggregations of juveniles (Fig. 9D), a phenomenon which has only recently been described for extant ricinuleids (Garcia et al 2015).…”

Systematics of the “Giant” Ricinulei (Ricinoididae: Ricinoides) of West Africa, with Descriptions of Five New Species and Comparative Morphology of the Male Copulatory Apparatus

“…;1996: 195, fig. 11 (misidentification); Harvey, 2003: 183 (part); García et al, 2015: 455. Ricinoides afzeli: Savory, 1964 101.…”

Understanding the real magnitude of the arachnid order Ricinulei through deep Sanger sequencing across its distribution range and phylogenomics, with the formalization of the first species from the Lesser Antilles

“…Ricinulei (hooded tick spiders or tick beetles) have long been one of the least understood arachnid orders, but anatomical studies (Salvatierra & Tourinho, 2016; Salvatierra et al, 2013; Talarico et al, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011; Talarico, García Hernández, et al, 2008; Talarico, Palacios‐Vargas, et al, 2008), phylogenetic/biogeographic work (Fernández & Giribet, 2015; Murienne et al, 2013), a plethora of taxonomic descriptions (de Armas, 2017; Botero‐Trujillo, 2014; Botero‐Trujillo et al, 2021; Botero‐Trujillo & Valdez‐Mondragón, 2016; Pinto‐da‐Rocha & Andrade, 2012; Tourinho et al, 2010, 2014; Tourinho & Saturnino, 2010; Valdez‐Mondragón et al, 2018, 2020; Valdez‐Mondragón & Francke, 2011, 2013; Valdez‐Mondragón & Juárez‐Sánchez, 2021), and even behavioral observations (García et al, 2015) have put the group back on the map. For example, when the last catalogue of Ricinulei was published (Harvey, 2003), 55 species had been described, while 81 were reported in the World Ricinulei Catalog (WRC) of 2021 (although the WRC does not include an extra 15 species reported in the most recent taxonomic account of Botero‐Trujillo et al (2021)).…”