Another migid in the wall: natural history of the endemic and rare spider Calathotarsus simoni (Mygalomorphae, Migidae) from a hill slope in central Argentina.

FERRETTI NELSON; COPPERI SOFÍA; SCHWERDT LEONELA; POMPOZZI GABRIEL

JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2014 vol. 48 p. 1907 - 1921

0022-2933

A population of Calathotarsus simoni Schiapelli & Gerschman 1975 was discovered on a hillside in Ventania system, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our objectives were to quantify burrow density, record physical burrow and door characteristics and describe the micro-habitat and spider diversity (through pitfall traps) associated with their environment. We counted 57 burrows in all plots and report burrow density of 0.01 burrows/m2. Burrows were not distributed evenly, aggregation indices suggest that burrows are aggregated under some area plots, but are more evenly distributed on others. The trapdoor is relatively thick and rigid with beveled edges and the door is connected to the entrance rim by a narrow but firmly articulated hinge. Two egg sacs from females were obtained and data on eggs and spiderlings are presented. Spider diversity on the hillside shows the predominance of Linyphiidae, Nemesiidae, Gnaphosidae, Salticidae and Corinnidae. One juvenile of C. simoni was captured with pitfall traps.