Biology
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These sizeable spiders are hunters that feed on cave weta (Gymnoplectron spp.), large grasshopper-like insects (4). Secured to the wall or ceiling via a drag line, the spider locates its prey and then drops down on top of it, before whisking it away in its grasp (4).
The Nelson cave spider produces large, almost spherical egg sacs that it suspends from the cave ceiling on silk threads (2) (4). Apparently long-lived, these spiders take three to five years to reach mature size, and have a low reproductive rate (5).
Conservation
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The Nelson cave spider is New Zealand's only spider legally protected by the Wildlife Act 1953 (3).
Description
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As New Zealand's largest spider, with an enormous 13 cm leg-span, this species is a startling sight in the limestone caves of the Nelson region where it lives (2) (3). These long-legged spiders are a mottled light brown colour and have very long claws on the first two pairs of legs (2) (4). Extremely rare, the Nelson cave spider is New Zealand's only protected species of spider (3).
Habitat
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Found in limestone caves, mainly in complete darkness, usually within 10 to 20 m of the cave entrance, but sometimes much deeper (2).
Range
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Known only from a few limestone caves in northwest Nelson, New Zealand (2).
Status
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Classified as Data Deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List 2006.
Threats
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Although classified as Data Deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List 2006 due to a lack of sufficient information, this spider is believed to be critically endangered and facing a high risk of extinction in the wild (6). The population size is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals (6), and its rarity and restricted habitat mean that the Nelson cave spider occupies an extremely precarious existence (4). No major threats are known, but minor possible threats include rats, cave usage and disturbance, and the collection of egg sacs by cave visitors (2).
Spelungula
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Spelungula is a monotypic genus of South Pacific large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Spelungula cavernicola, or the Nelson cave spider. It was first described by Ray Forster, Norman I. Platnick, & Michael R. Gray in 1987,[2] and has only been found in caves in the northwestern part of New Zealand's South Island.[1][3]
Etymology
The genus name is derived from "spelunca", which is latin for cave and is feminine in gender. The species name "cavernicola" refers to the species restriction to caves.[2]
Description
It is New Zealand's largest known spider, with a legspan of 13 to 15 centimetres (5.1 to 5.9 in) and a body length of 2.4 centimetres (0.94 in), and its main prey is cave weta.[4][5]
Conservation status
It is one of the few spider species afforded legal protection under the New Zealand Wildlife Act.[6][7] It is classed as "Range Restricted" and stable in the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[8]
In May 2022, the Crazy Paving Cave in Kahurangi National Park, where the spiders are known to breed, was closed for a year in an attempt to help the population to recover.[9]
See also
References
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^ a b Gloor, Daniel; Nentwig, Wolfgang; Blick, Theo; Kropf, Christian (2019). "Gen. Spelungula Forster, 1987". World Spider Catalog Version 20.0. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
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^ a b Forster, R. R.; Platnick, N. I.; Gray, M. R. (1987). "A review of the spider superfamilies Hypochiloidea and Austrochiloidea (Araneae, Araneomorphae)". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 185: 1–116.
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^ Sirvid, P. J.; Vink, C. J.; Wakelin, M. D.; Fitzgerald, B. M.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Araneae". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 85–90. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686310. ISSN 0077-9962. S2CID 84574921.
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^ McLachlan, Andrew. "Nelson cave spider". www.teara.govt.nz. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
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^ "Topic: Nelson cave spider | Collections Online – Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
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^ Faulls, D. (1991). "Eight legs, two fangs and an attitude". New Zealand Geographic (10): 68–96.
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^ Wildlife Act – Schedule 7 Terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates declared to be animals
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^ Molloy, Janice; et al. (2002). "Classifying species according to threat of extinction. A system for New Zealand" (PDF). Department of Conservation (New Zealand). Retrieved 2008-02-29.
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^ "Nelson cave to shut for a year to improve rare spider's population". RNZ. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
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Spelungula: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Spelungula is a monotypic genus of South Pacific large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Spelungula cavernicola, or the Nelson cave spider. It was first described by Ray Forster, Norman I. Platnick, & Michael R. Gray in 1987, and has only been found in caves in the northwestern part of New Zealand's South Island.
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
