First instance of non-sexual cannibalism in Plexippus paykulli (Audouin) (Araneae: Salticidae) in India
Keywords:
Behaviour, cannibalism, Arachnida, Araneae, Salticidae, jumping spiders, spiders, Asia, IndiaAbstract
Plexippus paykulli is a dimorphic salticid. Males possess median white stripes on a black carapace and abdomen, whereas females are brownish, with a white medial band on the thoracic region and a white median band accompanied by two subdorsal white spots on the posterior third of the abdomen. Plexippus paykulli is widely pantropical and usually inhabits bushes, shrubs and human settlements. On 25 May 2021, near Bara Solemanpur Village (21.67210°N 87.57483°E) in Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India, the authors observed an unusual instance of cannibalism in which a male P. paykulli was seen consuming a conspecific male. The predator male was noticeably larger than the prey male, and the event lasted for about five minutes.
To cite: Payra, A., Kuni, N. & Koparde, P. 2025. First instance of non-sexual cannibalism in Plexippus paykulli (Audouin) (Araneae: Salticidae) in India. Israel Journal of Entomology 54: 113–115. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17787293
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:290CDD94-02CD-4042-8F37-574ED9826FFE
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Copyright (c) 2025 Arajush Payra, Nikhil Kuni, Pankaj Koparde
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