Moving north under the eye of the public: The dispersal ecology of the Nosferatu spider, documented by citizen scientists

Abstract

Citizen participation in tracking the spread of newly introduced or invasive species is an effective tool in nature conservation. Recently arrived species that pose threats to humans, animals, or plants—especially those widely covered in the media—are particularly suitable for citizen-led monitoring.

In this study, we selected the Nosferatu spider (Zoropsis spinimana), a species spreading from the Mediterranean to northern Europe, to investigate whether its media coverage motivates citizens to report observations. Additionally, we aimed to gather insights into the spider's dispersal ecology through citizen science data. We utilized Google News and Google Videos as indicators of media presence, Google Trends as a proxy for public awareness, and citizen science observation data to assess the spider's distribution and ecology. Our analysis of 3,017 citizen science observations from different sources revealed a north-eastern spread of Z. spinimana. We found a temporal correlation between media presence, Google search activity, and the number of citizen-reported observations. Additionally, there was a strong spatial correlation between federal states with the highest media presence and the highest number of citizen reports. Most observations were recorded between August and October, with the majority occurring inside human dwellings. Hence, the current dispersion dynamics and extensive media coverage of Z. spinimana appear to be significant factors driving increased public awareness, as evidenced by higher search interest and a greater number of citizen observations.