Burrow structure and microhabitat characteristics of Nesiergus insulanus (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Frégate Island, Seychelles

The burrow structure and microhabitat variables of the little known theraphosid Nesiergus insulanus Simon 1903 were determined on Frégate Island, Seychelles. The species constructed burrows in fossorial substrates, including rocks, leaf litter and bare soil as well as on the trunks of decaying trees...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of arachnology 2014-09, Vol.42 (3), p.293-298
Main Authors: Canning, Gregory, Reilly, Brian K., Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
burrowing
burrows
correlation
Environmental aspects
FEATURED ARTICLES
generalist
Grasses
Grassland soils
habitat
Habitat selection
loam soils
microhabitat
Microhabitats
Plant litter
rocks
Sandy loam soils
soil pH
Soil samples
Spiders
Tarantula
Tarantulas
Theraphosidae
trees
Wildlife habitats
Woodlands
Zoological research
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Summary:The burrow structure and microhabitat variables of the little known theraphosid Nesiergus insulanus Simon 1903 were determined on Frégate Island, Seychelles. The species constructed burrows in fossorial substrates, including rocks, leaf litter and bare soil as well as on the trunks of decaying trees, both recumbent and standing. The majority of burrows were predominantly found in sandy loam soil with partial protection from the sun. The density of burrows was determined to be weakly positively correlated to soil and substrate type and strongly negatively correlated to degree of exposure to the sun. The pH of the soil in which burrows are found was not significantly related to burrow sites, and variability in burrow structure was revealed. Burrow aggregations vary from single burrows to aggregations exceeding 100, distributed randomly.
ISSN:0161-8202
1937-2396
DOI:10.1636/J13-59.1