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A promise is a promise
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Sun Spider (Ammotriichella stimpsoni)
I promised Paul I’ll post the full critter and this is it.
Description:
The solpugids are spiderlike and hairy, with two closely placed median eyes. Their most striking characteristic is the size of their chelicerae. These project in front of the head, and each of the pair is composed of two pieces forming a pincer that works in a vertical plane. The pedipalps are leglike, but have a specialized adhesive terminal segment.
Biology:
Solpugids are voracious predators that feed on all types of small arthropods. While they are most active at night, it is not unusual to see them out and about during the day. Prey is captured with the sticky ends of the pedipalps and passed to the formidable chelicerae for crushing. Only liquid and very fine particles are ingested; the pulp that results after a meal is discarded.
Of the 900 species throughout the world, 240 species occur in southern Africa. Solifugids are divided into two groups - nocturnal and diurnal. The diurnal species are usually more brightly coloured and the nocturnal species are usually much larger. These arachnids are found mostly in the hot arid regions and have a resistance to high temperatures and low humidity.
Mating takes place when the male encounters a receptive female. No spermatophore is produced by the male; instead a sperm droplet is transferred from the substrate to the female genital opening by means of the male's chelicerae. In one species, the male turns the female on her back, emits seminal fluid directly into the female genital opening, then tamps it in with his chelicerae.
After mating, the female constructs a burrow and nest in the ground, where she lays 50-200 eggs. She remains with the eggs until they hatch. When the young solpugids hatch, they emerge from the burrow with their mother and remain together for some time while the mother captures prey to feed the entire family.
Envenomation:
Solpugids are commonly considered to be venomous, but poison glands have not been found to be associated with the chelicerae. It has been suggested (but not confirmed) that poisoning might result from toxins secreted through the setal (bristle) pores that can be traced along the tips of the chelicerae. Apparently authentic cases of aftereffects resulting from a solpugid bite have been recorded, but these symptoms were probably caused by bacterial infection of the wound.
The solpugid has undoubtedly been maligned because of its appearance. An old wives' tale holds that animals drinking from a water trough in which a solpugid is present will die. There is no foundation for this.
If a bite results in broken skin, wash with soap and water and apply antiseptic to the wound.
More info can be found in a previous post here. |
Luc, willie, Kirsten, marhowie, Lourens, japie, Callie, PDP, AndyB, deud, thiagobr has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- Luc
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1843 W: 304 N: 4304]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(14755) - [2004-10-24 4:37]
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I am happy because your spider do not move when I look at it on my screen... Impeccable picture and note, Gerhard. TFS
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- willie
(2083)
- [2004-10-24 4:40]
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I don't like this baby but the shot is good. Nice detail & good notes
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- Kirsten
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 299 W: 6 N: 216]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(664) - [2004-10-24 5:26]
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that's a strange one, i'm glad we don't have these here, it would scare the heck out of me!
i'm getting itchi allready!
but it's a good shot anyway,good colours and details.good shot!
Gerhard, Good "Top-Shot" with great detail showing the whole Sun Spider well. Too bad you didn't bait it with some small insect so that we could observe it devouring its prey! Blood - blood, give me some BLOOD!! Hey it's almost Halloween, we need some gore around here! ;-))
Excellent macro, Gerhard. Dit is darem maar 'n lelike ding!! Nice work and excellent note!!
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- japie
(5187)
- [2004-10-24 9:23]
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WOW great shot. The image is very sharp and the composition excellent. Where do keep this one - hopefully somewhere where you know where to find him. Om op te som, "n lelike ding wat baie mooi afgeneem is.
Groetnis
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- Callie
(7551)
- [2004-10-24 11:42]
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Gerhard
Very nice shot of a very fagile small wonder. Not ugly at all, norscary, just soft and fluffy, for those who know it. Lovbe these guys, keep your spiders, they ARE scary.
I think F11 or so would have worked better, look at the toes on the feet, I have never seem them very sharp, but f11 . . .
Also, IMO but subjective here, I would let him look down from the right top to left bottom.
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- PDP
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
(11769) - [2004-10-24 12:11]
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Corrrrrr thanks Gerhard! I knew you'd post it soon. Great shot, now I want to see one in real life :-). I love the soft hairy texture he has. There must be some big muscles in that head.
I read that some species of these will take small lizards and pass them back and forth along the jaws to make a nice lizard puree inside the skin?
Thanks for posting.
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- AndyB
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3982) - [2004-10-24 12:34]
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A great capture of this very unusual spider.
I've never seen one of these and if I did I'd run a mile!
Nice detail.
A good informative note too.
Well done.
The other day I was impressed with this jaws, now I see plant view, I am atonished. Incredible arachnid this one. Great post.
