Research Article |
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Corresponding author: Jochen Drescher ( jdresch@gwdg.de ) Academic editor: Francesco Ballarin
© 2025 Naufal Urfi Dhiya'ulhaq, Suresh P. Benjamin, Damayanti Buchori, Purnama Hidayat, Stefan Scheu, Jochen Drescher.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Dhiya'ulhaq NU, Benjamin SP, Buchori D, Hidayat P, Scheu S, Drescher J (2025) Expanding the taxonomy of crab spiders (Araneae, Thomisidae) in Sumatra: a new genus, five new species, and regional records. ZooKeys 1241: 205-246. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1241.148348
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The taxonomy of crab spiders (Thomisidae) has been the focus of many reviews, adding new genera such as Ibana and Crockeria while synonymising Ascurisoma with Cebrenninus, and describing many new species. A collection of crab spiders from Jambi Province (Sumatra, Indonesia) revealed further diversity, resulting in the description of a new genus, Rangkayo Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, gen. nov., and five new species: Crockeria neofelis Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. (♂♀), Ibana svarnadvipa Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. (♂♀), Pharta roseomaculata Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. (♀), Rangkayo hitam Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. (♂♀), and Rangkayo perkaso Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. (♂♀). Additionally, new records of Angaeus christae Benjamin, 2013 (♂), Angaeus verrucosus Benjamin, 2017 (♂), Crockeria kinabalu Benjamin, 2016 (♂), Epidius elongatus Benjamin, 2017 (♂), and Pharta bimaculata Thorell, 1891 (♂♀) are provided for Sumatra, as well as high-resolution images of Cebrenninus magnus Benjamin, 2016 (♂) and Cebrenninus rugosus Simon, 1887 (♀). The present study highlights the considerable biodiversity of tropical crab spiders and underscores the importance of continued taxonomic and ecological research in Southeast Asia in general, and the Indonesian archipelago in particular.
Arachnida, biodiversity, RTA-clade, Southeast Asia, taxonomy
The Thomisidae (Crab Spiders) in this study correspond approximately to the Epidius clades defined by
Although Borboropactus is currently classified within the family Thomisidae, it shares several characteristics with members of the RTA clade (retrolateral tibial apophysis) not possessed by derived members of Thomisidae, such as the presence of cheliceral teeth, a median apophysis, a conductor, and epigynal teeth (
Ascurisoma was later synonymised with Cebrenninus (Benjamin, 2016). Angaeus Thorell, 1881, and its junior synonym Paraborboropactus Tang & Li, 2009, were not included in any of the aforementioned phylogenetic studies. Subsequently, two new genera, Ibana Benjamin, 2014 and Crockeria Benjamin, 2016, were described. Collectively, these thomisid genera are now well-defined, with their composition and distribution relatively well-documented. However, as evidenced by this new collection from Jambi Province (Sumatra, Indonesia), the study of biodiversity continues to reveal unexpected findings.
In the present taxonomic contribution, we examine a collection of 32 specimens of thomisids of the Epidius clade belonging to the known genera Angaeus, Cebrenninus, Crockeria, Ibana, Pharta, and propose the new genus Rangkayo Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, gen. nov. The specimens were collected by canopy fogging from 32 permanent research plots of the EFForTS project in Jambi, Sumatra (
The specimens used here were part of a collection of more than half a million canopy arthropods (
Specimens were examined under a ZEISS Stemi 2000 microscope. Female genitalia were excised from the specimen’s body and then cleared with 10% KOH for at least one hour to examine the internal copulatory organs. The specimens were measured and imaged using a KEYENCE VHX–7000 digital microscope system. The description of colouration is based on specimens preserved in ethanol. Measurements of legs are given as total length (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus). Missing legs or leg segments are marked with ‘-’, and legs with missing segments do not have their total length recorded. All measurements are in millimetres.
AER anterior eye row;
ALE anterior lateral eye;
AME anterior median eye;
CO copulatory openings;
CD copulatory ducts;
FD fertilisation ducts;
MA median apophysis of male palp;
PER posterior eye row;
PLE posterior lateral eye;
PME posterior median eye;
RTA retrolateral tibial apophysis of male palp;
TA tegular apophysis of male palp;
VTA ventral tibial apophysis of the male palp.
Family Thomisidae Sundevall, 1833
Angaeus Thorell, 1881
Angaeus christae Benjamin, 2013: 74, figs 3A, B, E, 5A–D.
Indonesia – Sumatra, Jambi Province • 1♂; Sarolangun, Air Hitam, Desa Baru; 02°04'36.0"S, 102°46'22.4"E; elev. 54 m; 27 Jun. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in rubber plantation;
Distinguished from all other congeners by the lack of MA in males (Figs
Male (2013_BR4.1_AraThom025N_001; Figs
Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province, new record); Malaysia (Borneo) Fig.
Given the lack of MA and the oval abdomen shape of the males (rhomboid in females and all other congeners), it is possible that this species should belong in a different genus and that the female paratype described in
Angaeus verrucosus Benjamin, 2017a: 297, figs 1–14.
Indonesia – Sumatra, Jambi Province • 1♂; Batang Hari, Hutan Harapan Conservation Area; 02°10'42.4"S, 103°19'58.2"E; elev. 54 m; 3 Aug. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in rainforest;
See
Male (2013_HF3.2_AraThom093N_001, Figs
Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province, new record); Malaysia (Borneo) Fig.
Cebrenninus rugosus
Simon, 1887:
Cebrenninus magnus Benjamin, 2016: 185, figs 6–8, 35–36, 38–45.
Indonesia – Sumatra, Jambi Province • 1♂; Sarolangun, Air Hitam, Desa Baru; 02°01'49.5"S, 102°46'14.8"E; elev. 57 m; 22 Jun. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation;
See
Male (2013_BJ6.1_AraThom070N_001; Figs
China; Laos; Thailand; Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province, new record; Java); Malaysia (Borneo) Fig.
Cebrenninus rugosus
Simon, 1887 468;
Cebrenninus annulatus Simon, 1897: 8.
Cebrenninus scabriculus Simon, 1897: 8.
Libania annulata Thorell, 1890: 149.
Libania armillata Thorell, 1890: 149.
Libania scabricula Thorell, 1890: 148.
Libania scabricula sulcata Thorell, 1890: 148.
Indonesia • Sumatra, Jambi Province, 1♀; Sarolangun, Air Hitam, Desa Baru; 02°01'49.5"S, 102°46'14.8"E; elev. 57 m; 12 Jul. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation;
For diagnosis of Cebrennius rugosus Simon, 1887 see
Female (2013_BJ6.1_AraThom048N_001; Figs
Malaysia (Borneo); Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo) Fig.
The specimen examined here is tentatively identified as Cebrenninus rugosus, as no images are available showing the dorsal view of the epigynum, and we are unable to re-examine any type specimen. Examined specimen also exhibits distinct banding and strong ventral granulation on the legs, which were not described in
Crockeria kinabalu Benjamin, 2016: 195, figs 92, 93, 96–99.
Indonesia – Sumatra, Jambi Province • 1♂; Batang Hari, Bajubang, Bungku; 01°55'41.6"S, 103°15'34.2"E; elev. 48 m; 9 May 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation;
Males of Crockeria kinabalu Benjamin, 2016 are distinguishable from Crockeria neofelis Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., by the elongated MA (Figs
Male (2013_HJ1.1_AraThom033N_001; Figs
Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province (new record) Fig.
Holotype. Indonesia – Jambi Province • 1♂; Sarolangun, Pauh, Semaran; 02°08'35.9"S, 102°51'04.5"E; elev. 45 m; 16 Jul. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation;
Males of Crockeria neofelis Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., are easily distinguished from Crockeria kinabalu Benjamin, 2016 by the very wide MA with pincer-shaped tip (Figs
Male (holotype 2013_BJ5.2_AraThom007N_001; Figs
A, B, D, E Crockeria neofelis Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov A, B male (holotype 2013_BJ5.2_AraThom007N_001), left palp A ventral view B retrolateral view D, E female (paratype 2013_BJ5.2_AraThom007N_002), epigynum D ventral view E dorsal view C Epidius elongatus Benjamin, 2017, male (2013_BJ4.1_AraThom071N_001), left palp, ventral view. Abbreviations: C = conductor; CO = copulatory opening; E = embolus; FD = fertilisation duct; MA = median apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; S = spermatheca; W = epigynal window. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A, B); 0.5 mm (C), 0.1 mm (D, E).
Female (paratype 2013_BJ5.2_AraThom007N_002; Figs
The specific epithet refers to the Sunda Clouded Leopard, Neofelis diardi (G. Cuvier, 1823), native to Sumatra. The dark blotches on the legs of C. neofelis are reminiscent of the fur pattern of this feline. Noun in apposition.
Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province) Fig.
Epidius elongatus Benjamin, 2017b: 474, figs 2C, 4B.
Indonesia – Jambi Province • 1♂; Sarolangun, Air Hitam, Desa Baru; 02°00'56.8"S, 102°45'12.6"E; elev. 64 m; 23 Jun. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation;
See
Male (2013_BJ4.1_AraThom071N_001, Figs
Thailand; Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province (new record) Fig.
Epidius rubropictus Benjamin, 2011: 15, figs 5I, 35D, E (female from Sumatra only) [misidentification].
Holotype. Indonesia – Jambi Province • 1♂; Batang Hari, Bajubang, Sungkai; 01°50'58.7"S, 103°18'00.5"E; elev. 56 m; 5 Jun. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation;
Males of Ibana svarnadvipa Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., can be distinguished from Ibana gan Liu & S. Q. Li, 2022 and Ibana senagang Benjamin, 2014 by the slightly dorsally curved VTA (Figs
Male (holotype 2013_HJ3.2_AraThom035N_001; Figs
Female (paratype 2013_BR2.2_AraThom035N_001; Figs
Ibana svarnadvipa Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov A, B male (holotype 2013_HJ3.2_AraThom035N_001), left palp A ventral view B tibia, retrolateral view C, D female (paratype 013_BR2.2_AraThom035N_001), epigynum C ventral view D dorsal view. Abbreviations: C = conductor; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; E = embolus; FD = fertilisation duct; MA = median apophysis; S = spermatheca; VTA = ventral tibial apophysis. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A); 0.1 mm (B–D).
The specific epithet is taken from an ancient name for Sumatra, which is Sanskrit for ‘island of gold’. Also referring to the colouration of the species in ethanol. Noun in apposition.
Indonesia (Sumatra: North Sumatra and Jambi Province) Fig.
Pharta bimaculata
Thorell, 1891: 85;
Sanmenia kohi Ono, 1995: 162, figs 7–15.
Indonesia – Jambi Province • 1♂, 1♀; Sarolangun, Air Hitam, Lubuk Kepayang; 02°04'15.2"S, 102°47'30.8"E; elev. 54 m; 5 Jun. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in oil palm plantation;
Male (2013_BO3.2_AraThom067N_001; Figs
Female (2013_BO3.2_AraThom067N_003, Figs
Pharta bimaculata Thorell, 1891 A, B, D–F female (2013_BO3.2_AraThom067N_003) A, B habitus A dorsal view B ventral view D–F epigynum D ventral view E cleared, ventral view E cleared, dorsal view C female (2013_HJ4.2_AraThom067N_001), habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1 mm (A–C); 0.1 mm (D–F).
Pharta bimaculata Thorell, 1891 A–C male (2013_BO3.2_AraThom067N_001), left palp A ventral view B retrolateral view C palpal tibia, retrolateral view D, E female (2013_BO3.2_AraThom067N_003), epigynum D ventral view E dorsal view. Abbreviations: C = conductor; CO = copulatory opening; E = embolus; FD = fertilisation duct; MA = median apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; S = spermatheca; VTA = ventral tibial apophysis. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
Singapore; Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province; new record) Fig.
Certain specimens have less vibrant markings on the carapace and abdomen (Fig.
The male specimen described here aligns perfectly with the characteristics of the genus, confirming the associated female’s accuracy. However, the genitalia of the female specimen described by
Holotype. Indonesia – Jambi Province • 1♀; Batang Hari, Hutan Harapan Conservation Area; 02°09'09.3"S, 103°21'41.8"E; elev. 65 m; 19 Jul. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in rainforest;
Females of Pharta roseomaculata Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., are similar to Pharta sudmannorum Benjamin, 2014 in having a roughly 8-shaped spermatheca and very dark, funnel-shaped CO, but can be distinguished by outward facing CO (Figs
Female (holotype 2013_HF1.1_AraThom044N_001, Figs
Epigynum (Figs
The specific epithet is taken from Latin and refers to the pink spots on the abdomen.
Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province) Fig.
Rangkayo hitam Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov.
Among the Oriental thomisids of the Epidius clade (sensu
Total body length 3–4 mm. Carapace pear-shaped, slightly longer than wide. PLE>ALE>PME>AME. AER recurved, PER slightly recurved. Legs long and slender; front legs much longer than back legs; leg formula 2143; tarsi and tibiae I and II with several pairs of ventral spines. Abdomen oval. Male palp: cymbium elongated, with an apical extension; embolus very long, whip-like, arising from an extension of the tegulum; conductor present; tegular bump present, situated next to the conductor; tibia ventrally with a row of macrosetae. Epigynum: Atrium large, butterfly-shaped; copulatory ducts very long and convoluted, consisting of loops, turns, and fold; spermatheca small and inconspicuous. Colouration: whole body yellow; eye region slightly darker; abdomen with several pairs of red and white spots dorsally. Hardly any somatic difference between sexes.
The generic name, as well as the type species, is taken from Rangkayo Hitam or Orang Kayo Hitam, a legendary king of Jambi central to the foundation myth of Jambi City. Gender masculine.
Rangkayo hitam Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., Rangkayo perkaso Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov.
Holotype. Indonesia – Jambi Province • 1♂; Batang Hari, Hutan Harapan Conservation Area; 02°09'52.9"S, 103°22'04.0"E; elev. 51 m; 2 Aug. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in rainforest;
Males of Rangkayo hitam Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. can be distinguished from the only other species Rangkayo perkaso Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. by the straighter cymbium (Fig.
Rangkayo hitam Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., male (holotype 2013_HFr1.2_AraThom091N_001) A, B habitus A dorsal view B ventral view C eye region, frontal view D–G right palp (mirrored) D prolateral view E ventral view F retrolateral view G dorsal view. Scale bars: 1 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–G).
Rangkayo hitam Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. A, B male (holotype 2013_HFr1.2_AraThom091N_001), right palp (mirrored) A ventral view B, C female (paratype 2013_HJ4.1_AraThom091N_001), epigynum B ventral view C dorsal view. Abbreviations: AT = atrium; C = conductor; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; E = embolus; EB = embolic base; FD = fertilisation duct; L1 = first loop of copulatory ducts; L2 = second loop of copulatory ducts; MA = median apophysis; S = spermatheca; TB = tegular bump. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.
Male (holotype 2013_HFr1.2_AraThom091N_001; Figs
Female (paratype 2013_HJ4.1_AraThom091N_001; Figs
See under etymology of genus. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition.
Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province) Fig.
Holotype. Indonesia – Jambi Province • 1♂; Sarolangun, Air Hitam, Lubuk Kepayang; 02°03'46.6"S, 102°48'03.5"E; elev. 74 m; 26 Jun. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation;
Males of Rangkayo perkaso Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., can be easily distinguished from the only other species Rangkayo hitam Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov., by the conspicuously bent cymbium (Fig.
Rangkayo perkaso Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, sp. nov. A, B male (holotype 2013_BJ3.2_AraThom056N_001), left palp A ventral view B, C female (paratype 2013_BF4.2_AraThom056N_001), epigynum B ventral view C dorsal view. Abbreviations: AT = atrium; C = conductor; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; E = embolus; FD = fertilisation duct; L1 = first loop of copulatory ducts; L2 = second loop of copulatory ducts; MA = median apophysis; S = spermatheca; TB = tegular bump. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.
Male (holotype 2013_BJ3.2_AraThom056N_001; Figs
Female (paratype 2013_BF4.2_AraThom056N_001; Figs
Total length 3.83. Carapace length 1.47; width 1.45. Abdomen length 2.36; width 1.73. Diameter of eyes: AME 0.05; ALE 0.11; PLE 0.13; PME 0.08. Interdistances between eyes: AME–AME 0.08; AME–ALE 0.05; ALE–ALE 0.26; PME–PME 0.13; PME–PLE 0.12; ALE–PLE 0.12; AME–PME 0.22; PLE–PLE 0.53. Leg measurements: leg I 7.81 (2.26, 0.39, 2.38, 1.85, 0.93); leg II -; leg III 4.09 (1.21, 0.35, 1.20, 0.84, 0.49); leg IV 4.62 (1.48, 0.34, 1.37, 0.92, 0.51). Female habitus as in male, except for the following: abdomen with four full pairs of red spots, interspersed with prominent white spots; laterally bordered by a thick white band. Epigynum (Figs
The specific epithet is taken from a Jambi Malay word meaning powerful, which is included in the first line of the traditional song from Jambi ‘Orang Kayo Hitam’: Rang Kayo Hitam, gagah perkaso (translated: Rang Kayo Hitam, mighty and powerful). Also referring to the rather strong bend of the male palp.
Indonesia (Sumatra: Jambi Province) Fig.
Distribution of examined Thomisidae species from the Epidius clade (sensu Benjamin, 2011) prior to the present study, as well as the sampling location of the current study in Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia (green flag). The new genus and the five new species described in the present study are all from the same study location, i.e., a replicated plot design across lowland rainforest, ‘jungle rubber’ (rubber agroforestry), and smallholder monoculture plantations of rubber and oil palm in Jambi’s lowlands (
This study results from a long-standing research project, EFForTS, conducted around two forest reserves (Bukit Duabelas National Park & Hutan Harapan) in the province of Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia. In the first of five canopy fogging sampling campaigns in the span of 12 years, approximately 3000 adult spider specimens were collected. Of these, 263 specimens belong to Thomisidae, assigned to 63 morphospecies. With this, Thomisidae were the third most speciose spider family within our canopy fogging collection, only surpassed by Theridiidae (155 morphospecies) and Salticidae (96 morphospecies) (
The description of five new species of Thomisidae as well as new locality records for five known species improves our understanding of the biodiversity of crab spiders in the Oriental region. Thomisids are highly camouflaged predators of flower visitors, and some species groups even can adjust colour and patterns to match the colour of their preferred ambush site, on occasion within days (e.g., Misumena spp. or Thomisus spp.) (
The species newly described here, as well as the novel genus Rangkayo, still have the strong distinction between forelegs and hindlegs like most thomisids, suggesting that their movement patterns, as well as hunting strategies, are similar to those of well-known thomisid species. The discovery of a new genus within the Thomisidae, Rangkayo Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, gen. nov., highlights substantial taxonomic knowledge gaps regarding the remarkable biodiversity of the study region. Continued taxonomic analysis of our EFForTS collections, and other sampling efforts, may likely reveal even more undescribed spider genera, possibly even within the Thomisidae. Additionally, molecular genetic data will further aid in understanding the phylogenetic placement of Rangkayo Dhiya’ulhaq & Benjamin, gen. nov., within the thomisid phylogeny, especially concerning the morphological similarity of the male palps with those of Ibana and Epidius.
The authors thank Yohanes Bayu Suharto and Yohanes Toni Rohaditomo for help with sample collection, as well as Rizky Nazarreta and Kasmiatun for sample handling at the University of Jambi (UNJA) and IPB University, Bogor. We thank village leaders, local plot owners, PT REKI, and Bukit Duabelas National Park for granting us access to and use of their properties. The study was conducted using specimens collected under permit No. S.710/KKH-2/2013 issued by the Ministry of Forestry (PHKA) and exported under permit SK.61/KSDAE/SET/KSA.2/3/2019 issued by the Directorate General of Nature Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) as well as bilateral Material Transfer Agreements between Damayanti Buchori and Purnam Hidayat (IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia) and Stefan Scheu (University of Göttingen, Germany). We thank Francesco Ballarin, Miguel Machado, and Feng Zhang for valuable comments and suggestions during peer-review. We acknowledge support by the Open Access Publication Funds of the Göttingen University.
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
No ethical statement was reported.
Naufal Urfi Dhiya’ulhaq and Jochen Drescher were funded by the DFG via the CRC990-EFForTS project (grant number 192626868–SFB 990) and SCHE336/50-1. Suresh P. Benjamin was mainly funded by a fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, with additional funding from the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka.The study of Simon’s material in the MNHN by SPB was funded by the European project H2020 SYNTHESYS+, project number 823827.
Conceptualization: NUD, SPB, JD, SS. Data curation: NUD, SS, PH, DB, JD, SPB. Formal analysis: NUD, SPB, JD. Funding acquisition: SPB, PH, SS, DB, JD. Investigation: NUD, SPB, SS. Methodology: SPB, SS, NUD, JD. Project administration: NUD, PH, JD, SS, SPB, DB. Resources: SPB, SS, JD. Supervision: SS, NUD, SPB, DB, JD, PH. Validation: SPB, SS, JD, NUD. Visualization: SPB, NUD, JD. Writing - original draft: SS, SPB, JD, NUD. Writing - review and editing: NUD, PH, SPB, SS, JD, DB.
Naufal Urfi Dhiya’ulhaq https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6563-4643
Suresh P. Benjamin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4666-0330
Damayanti Buchori https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2843-0737
Purnama Hidayat https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9507-6275
Stefan Scheu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4350-9520
Jochen Drescher https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5162-9779
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.