Post by surroundx on Oct 11, 2015 10:10:01 GMT
" two (Helebiona wilma and Bonapruncinia
sanctaehelenae) were not found in 2003 but were represented in the Belgians' collection by three or
less individuals and so might have been missed in 2003 even if still actually present in small numbers;
and one (Benoitodes caheni) was apparently common in the 1960s but was not found in 2003,
suggesting that it is now either extinct or much reduced in numbers on the plain."
"**Benoitodes caheni (ex Actaeodes caheni) (Benoit). Belgians
page 57, A&A 307. 2003 sites: none.
This hunting spider is about 12 mm long, with red brown
carapace and grey abdomen with glistening hairs. The carapace is
squared off in front and carries two fairly straight rows of eyes, with
the centre rear pair non-circular. The chelicerae are robust with
fangs curving inward and overlapping, and the spinnerets are
noticeably long.
The Belgians created a new genus Actaeodes for two endemic
species that they discovered, but the generic name was invalid and
has been replaced by Benoitodes. B. caheni was found by the
Belgians only on PBP, where it was common (the second species
was found in higher parts of the island). In 1995 we collected a
member of the genus (probably an endemic species new to science)
in a pipe trap in rock debris below the dry waterfall near Gregory's
Battery.
It is worrying that in 2003 we failed to find B. caheni at its
type locality on PBP. If it really has declined or become extinct, one
possible factor could be the arrival in the area since 1967 of the
Brown Widow spider Latrodectus geometricus. However, we have
no a priori reason to expect a serious interaction between these two
species other than their occupying similar habitats."
Source: Ashmole, Philip, and, Ashmole, Myrtle. (2004). Guide to Invertebrates of Prosperous Bay Plain, St Helena and Illustrated account of species found on the Eastern Arid Area (EAA), including Prosperous Bay Plain, Holdfast Tom and Horse Point Plain. Peebles, Scotland: Kidston Mill. 92 pp. [automatic download]
sanctaehelenae) were not found in 2003 but were represented in the Belgians' collection by three or
less individuals and so might have been missed in 2003 even if still actually present in small numbers;
and one (Benoitodes caheni) was apparently common in the 1960s but was not found in 2003,
suggesting that it is now either extinct or much reduced in numbers on the plain."
"**Benoitodes caheni (ex Actaeodes caheni) (Benoit). Belgians
page 57, A&A 307. 2003 sites: none.
This hunting spider is about 12 mm long, with red brown
carapace and grey abdomen with glistening hairs. The carapace is
squared off in front and carries two fairly straight rows of eyes, with
the centre rear pair non-circular. The chelicerae are robust with
fangs curving inward and overlapping, and the spinnerets are
noticeably long.
The Belgians created a new genus Actaeodes for two endemic
species that they discovered, but the generic name was invalid and
has been replaced by Benoitodes. B. caheni was found by the
Belgians only on PBP, where it was common (the second species
was found in higher parts of the island). In 1995 we collected a
member of the genus (probably an endemic species new to science)
in a pipe trap in rock debris below the dry waterfall near Gregory's
Battery.
It is worrying that in 2003 we failed to find B. caheni at its
type locality on PBP. If it really has declined or become extinct, one
possible factor could be the arrival in the area since 1967 of the
Brown Widow spider Latrodectus geometricus. However, we have
no a priori reason to expect a serious interaction between these two
species other than their occupying similar habitats."
Source: Ashmole, Philip, and, Ashmole, Myrtle. (2004). Guide to Invertebrates of Prosperous Bay Plain, St Helena and Illustrated account of species found on the Eastern Arid Area (EAA), including Prosperous Bay Plain, Holdfast Tom and Horse Point Plain. Peebles, Scotland: Kidston Mill. 92 pp. [automatic download]
