@article {17, title = {Size dependent occurence of different types of web decorations and a barrier web in the tropical spider Argiope argentata (Fabricius 1775) (Araneae Araneidae)}, journal = {Tropical Zoology}, volume = {21}, year = {2008}, pages = {97-108}, abstract = {

Web decorations occur in a wide range of spiders and are constructed using various materials such as leaves, carcasses or silk. Silk decorations, so called stabilimenta, have attracted most attention since they are an obvious feature of the webs of several orb web species and are highly visible to the human eye. Silk decorations are mainly discshaped, linear or cruciate. The functions of silk decorations remain a controversial issue. More comparative and experimental work is needed, apart from the assessment of environmental prerequisites for the construction of web decorations. I collected data on the occurrence and type of silk decorations, along with a measure of body size, for a population of the tropical spider Argiope argentata (Fabricius 1775) in the Bijagual biological reserve in Costa Rica. In addition, I recorded whether a barrier web was present or not. I found that whether a discoid or cruciate decoration was produced significantly depended on body size: smaller spiders constructed mainly discoid decorations whereas larger spiders constructed at least part of a cruciate decoration or none at all. Barrier webs predominantly occurred in smaller spiders and were rarely present in larger spiders. The data contradict those of an earlier census performed on the Galapagos Islands, which suggested that the difference in biotic and abiotic environmental parameters not only causes differences in variability of web building behaviour but near complete reversal.

}, keywords = {barrier web, ontogenetic changes, plasticity, predator-prey relationship, St Andrews cross spider, stabilimentum, web decoration}, author = {Uhl, Gabriele} } @article {6, title = {Molecular phylogenetics and morphological evolution of Thunbergioideae (Acanthaceae)}, journal = {Taxon}, volume = {57}, year = {2008}, chapter = {811-822}, abstract = {

Based on nucleotide sequences from three chloroplast DNA regions (rps16, rpl16, trnT-trnL), we infer detailed phylogenetic relationships within the subfamily Thunbergioideae (Acanthaceae) and among major lineages of the family as a whole. Taxa were sampled to cover the geographic distribution of Thunbergioideae and to include all subgenera of the largest genus Thunbergia. All other major lineages of Acanthaceae were sampled to test monophyly and intrafamilial position of Thunbergioideae. Both parsimony and Bayesian analyses support Thunbergioideae as monophyletic. The mangrove genus Avicennia is consistently placed as sister to Thunbergioideae although with only moderate support. Thunbergia and Mendoncia are both monophyletic in all analyses, and Mendoncia is placed as sister to Thunbergia plus Pseudocalyx. Relationships within the two largest genera Mendoncia and Thunbergia are highly resolved and most branches are strongly supported. Our results suggest that the existing morphology-based classification of Thunbergia partially holds, but needs revision. Based on the phylogenetic relationships we found it likely that a twining habit is ancestral for the genus Thunbergia. The thecal awns, characteristic for many species in the genus, have probably evolved from unicellular bristles. Longitudinal dehiscence over the whole length of the thecae, which is present in many Thunbergia species, most likely evolved from short slits or pores as present in Pseudocalyx and Mendoncia.

}, keywords = {Acanthaceae, chloroplast DNA, morphology, phylogeny, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, Thunbergioideae}, author = {Borg, Agneta Julia and McDade, Lucinda A. and Sch{\"o}nenberger, J{\"u}rg} } @article {5, title = {Observations of cavity-roosting behavior in Costa Rican Lophostoma brasiliense (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)}, journal = {Mammalian Biology}, volume = {73}, year = {2008}, chapter = {230-232}, keywords = {Costa Rica, Lophostoma, Phyllostomidae, Reserva Ecol{\'o}gica Bijagual, roosting behavior, termite nest}, author = {York, Heather A. and Foster, Paul F. and Jones, M. F. and Schwarz, Walter H.} }