![]() Members of the species are rarely encountered individually. “Despite the physical uniqueness of these specimens, the use of DNA as an alternate, less subjective line of evidence for recognizing the species was warranted, given our excitement with discovering a new species literally in our own backyards,” Bond said. Prey are captured, usually at night, when an insect or other animal causes a vibration, provoking the spider to leap from the burrow entrance, bite and envenomate the unsuspecting victim, and then return to the bottom of the burrow to feast on its prize. Female spiders spend nearly their entire lives in a single silk-lined burrow from which they forage as sit-and-wait predators. However, closer examination revealed considerable differences in appearance, particularly in their genitalia, that were supported by additional DNA studies.Trapdoor spiders, related to tarantulas, funnel web spiders, and their kin, construct subterranean burrows that they cover with a hinged door made of a mixture of silk and soil. foliata, according to a taxonomic study of the group that was published a few years ago. and includes the now-famous species Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi, from Birmingham, Alabama, named for Canadian rocker Neil Young.ĭue to superficial similarities, Myrmekiaphila tigris was previously believed to be a different species, M. Myrmekiaphila tigris belongs to a genus that contains 11 other species of trapdoor spider found throughout the eastern U.S. Bond and Ray actually live in the neighborhood where the new species was discovered. ![]() The research team, directed by Biological Sciences professor Jason Bond, lead investigator and director of the Auburn University Museum of Natural History, and Charles Ray, a research fellow in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, was excited at the prospect of such a remarkable find just underfoot. Myrmekiaphila tigris, affectionately referred to as the Auburn Tiger Trapdoor spider, is named in honor of Auburn University’s costumed Tiger mascot, Aubie.Ĭlick here to watch a video about this discovery. In the video below the coverage of the species sold on this listing begins just after 13 minutes and then the end of the video shows a suggestion for how to set a tank up for trapdoor spiders.Researchers at Auburn University reported the discovery a new trapdoor spider species from a well-developed housing subdivision in the heart of the city of Auburn, Ala. They are extremely common in areas where they occur, but very seldom seen by anybody. They probably reach sexual maturity well before they reach ultimate size. Ultimate legspan exceeds an inch but they look so much larger on account of their sheer bulk! I suspect these spiders may live several decades (females). Adult females can attain legspans in excess of an inch and a half, though the spider’s bulk is most impressive. pacificus), are similar to the more familiar trapdoor spiders, though the mechanism for the opening to their burrow is apparently different, being pulled together in two parts rather than a hinged lid. Larger females have a job to do around here.įolding Door Trapdoor Spiders, Antrodiaetus sp. I tend not to collect large ones since they can live for 20 to 30 years and despite there being thousands of them within a stone’s throw of me. Current specimen has a 1/4 to 1/3 inch legspan (not sure, it is buried). The folding door trapdoor spider Antrodiaetus is a widespread genus of spiders.
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