A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae)

Jessica R Marsh; Steven J Milner; Matthew Shaw; Andrew J Stempel; Mark S Harvey; Michael G Rix

doi:10.3390/insects14050449

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A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae)

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A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae)

Jessica R Marsh, Steven J Milner, Matthew Shaw, Andrew J Stempel, Mark S Harvey and Michael G Rix

Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.14(5), 449

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050449

PMID: 37233077

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Abstract

Nemesioidina

genetics

invertebrate

climate change

Previously described from only fragments of exoskeleton and juvenile specimens, the cave spider genus Troglodiplura (Araneae: Anamidae), endemic to the Nullarbor Plain, is the only troglomorphic member of the infraorder Mygalomorphae recorded from Australia. We investigated the distribution of Troglodiplura in South Australia, collecting and observing the first (intact) mature specimens, widening the number of caves it has been recorded in, and documenting threats to conservation. Phylogenetic analyses support the placement of Troglodiplura as an independent lineage within the subfamily Anaminae (the ‘Troglodiplura group’) and provide unequivocal evidence that populations from apparently isolated cave systems are conspecifics of T. beirutpakbarai Harvey & Rix, 2020, with extremely low or negligible inter-population mitochondrial divergences. This is intriguing evidence for recent or contemporary subterranean dispersal of these large, troglomorphic spiders. Observations of adults and juvenile spiders taken in the natural cave environment, and supported by observations in captivity, revealed the use of crevices within caves as shelters, but no evidence of silk use for burrow construction, contrasting with the typical burrowing behaviours seen in other Anamidae. We identify a range of threats posed to the species and to the fragile cave ecosystem, and provide recommendations for further research to better define the distribution of vulnerable taxa within caves and identify actions needed to protect them.

Details

Title: A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae)
Authors/Creators: Jessica R Marsh - Murdoch University
Steven J Milner - The University of Adelaide
Matthew Shaw - South Australian Museum
Andrew J Stempel - Independent Researcher, Port Adelaide, SA 5015, Australia
Mark S Harvey - Australian Museum
Michael G Rix - Australian Museum
Publication Details: Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.14(5), 449
Publisher: MDPI
Grant note: NA / Bush Blitz, run by the Australian Government in partnership with Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) and EarthWatch Australia
Identifiers: 991005581068707891
Murdoch Affiliation: Harry Butler Institute; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.64 Phylogenetics & Genomics; 3.64.1940 Subterranean Biodiversity
Web Of Science research areas: Entomology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science