A Life Caught In A Spider S Web

This issue is dedicated to Dr. Christo Deltshev, the doyen of Bulgarian araneology. It contains seventeen arachnological publications, including a concise biography of Dr. Deltshev, a list of his scientific publications and his described taxa. The volume comprises taxonomic contributions in the spider families Hypochilidae, Sicariidae, Dysderidae, Hersiliidae, Theridiidae, Linyphiidae, Lycosidae, Dictynidae, Gnaphosidae, Sparassidae, Philodromidae and Salticidae and fossil taxa in the harvestmen suborders Dyspnoi and Eupnoi, written by a total of 36 authors. Four new genera and 37 new spider and harvestmen species have been described in this volume, and dozens of new taxonomic alterations (new combinations, new synonyms, new statuses, etc.) are proposed too. Geographically, the papers deal with material originating from Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America. There is also an overview of the use of barcoding to identify spiders in species-rich genera.

Spiders are identified by the kinds of webs they build. Read about some of the different kinds of webs, from tangled to funnel, and the purposes they serve. Students will also gain an appreciation for these industrious arachnids, which feed on insects and can build beautiful webs in half an hour.

This work takes a fresh, modern approach to investigate and explain the predator and prey relationships of insects and spiders, the major terrestrial fauna on earth. Devoted to broad and in-depth analysis of arthropod defenses against predators, the book's approach is both experimentally and theoretically based with major emphasis on evolution, predator strategies and tactics, and prey defensive adaptations and behaviors. The authors explain such topics as cryptic and aposematic coloration, the conflict between sexual and survival needs, web spider prey choice and evolution of prey counter defenses, predator-prey interactions and the origins of intelligence, bird predatory tactics, and caterpillar defense strategies. Also examined is the use of timing for fitness and survival, evolutionary gamesmanship in the predatory bat-moth relationship, colony defense by aper wasps, startle as a defense by moths, aggregation as a defense, chemicals as defenses, plant chemicals as defenses, and venoms as defenses. The authors illustrate each topic with numerous specific well-documented examples presented in a clear, readable style.

This book is about the intersection of storytelling and science. Recognizing that humans are hard-wired for narrative, this collection of new essays integrates the two in a special way to teach science in the K-6 classroom. As science education changes its focus to concepts that bridge various disciplines, along with science and engineering practices, storytelling offers opportunities to enhance the science classroom. Lesson plans are provided, each presenting a story, its alignment with science (Next Generation Science Standards), language arts (Common Core State Standards) and theater arts standards (National Core Arts Standards). Instructional plans include a rationale, preparation, activities and assessment.

Commanded by a Killer Wasp dictator, the wasps are deporting and exterminating the bees, whom they hate for their dedication to accumulating pollen, wax, and honey treasure. Many a bee disappears. Seven little orphans, including a blind bee, decide to form a resistance movement. Each of them takes on a nom de guerre that reflects their character. Led by Polly, the Group call themselves the ‘Freebs’. A story of violence unfolds in Wasp City while in Jamasiah, the capital of the bee kingdom where the Queen speaks like Churchill, it is a story of resistance and goodness. Eight young friends at the wasps’ military academy choose a secret name for themselves (the Winnies) and quietly organize to resist their regime. One of them, Greta, sneaks out in the mornings to polish up her flying skills. Meanwhile, the Freebs train to improve their formation flying. We watch as they perfect their aerobatic flight techniques, race train, and learn judo concentration techniques. The tale unfolds in a constant series of reversals as the bees fight their historical enemies and seek new allies. Along the way, we encounter a wasp who talks like Gandi, see a lead character martyred, meet a traitor, hear music that instils courage within the concentration camps, witness the invention of the ‘red alert’ that the bee families adopt, as well as enjoying hilarious scenes with the Freebs, who hidden in a crowd spray ketchup in the face of a Killer Wasp, then tie him up and stuff his mouth with chips. We hear messages of peace and brotherhood from the Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths filtering through the action sequences, and above all, faith in the dream of changing the world for the better which unites the Freebs and Greta, culminating in a grand finale flight race between the wasp empire academies, in which females are not allowed to take part, only Greta never got the memo...

The ancient Greeks and Romans lived in a world teeming with animals. Animals were integral to ancient commerce, war, love, literature and art. Inside the city they were found as pets, pests, and parasites. They could be sacred, sacrificed, liminal, workers, or intruders from the wild. Beyond the city domesticated animals were herded and bred for profit and wild animals were hunted for pleasure and gain alike. Specialists like Aristotle, Aelian, Pliny and Seneca studied their anatomy and behavior. Geographers and travelers described new lands in terms of their animals. Animals are to be seen on every possible artistic medium, woven into cloth and inlaid into furniture. They are the subject of proverbs, oaths and dreams. Magicians, physicians and lovers turned to animals and their parts for their crafts. They paraded before kings, inhabited palaces, and entertained the poor in the arena. Quite literally, animals pervaded the ancient world from A-Z. In entries ranging from short to long, Kenneth Kitchell offers insight into this commonly overlooked world, covering representative and intriguing examples of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Familiar animals such as the cow, dog, fox and donkey are treated along with more exotic animals such as the babirussa, pangolin, and dugong. The evidence adduced ranges from Minoan times to the Late Roman Empire and is taken from archaeology, ancient authors, inscriptions, papyri, coins, mosaics and all other artistic media. Whenever possible reasoned identifications are given for ancient animal names and the realities behind animal lore are brought forth. Why did the ancients think hippopotamuses practiced blood letting on themselves? How do you catch a monkey? Why were hyenas thought to be hermaphroditic? Was there really a vampire moth? Entries are accompanied by full citations to ancient authors and an extensive bibliography. Of use to Classics students and scholars, but written in a style designed to engage anyone interested in Greco-Roman antiquity, Animals in the Ancient World from A to Z reveals the extent and importance of the animal world to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It answers many questions, asks several more, and seeks to stimulate further research in this important field.