DOCSLIB.ORG

Tarantulas the Female Delays Egg Laying Until the Right Time

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tarantulas the Female Delays Egg Laying Until the Right Time A Spider’s Life Sharing the World Tarantulas The female delays egg laying until the right time. Tarantulas, like all spiders, play a crucial role in the East Bay She manufactures a silken masterpiece—her acting as biological controls of insect populations. egg case. The soft cushiony inner layer protects They also provide food for other creatures, Regional Park District her fragile brood. The strong outer layer is lined including spiders, mammals, lizards, birds, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605 with barbed hairs to protect against parasites. and wasps. 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 (TRS 711) Hundreds of eggs nestle within. On sunny days, Human threats to tarantulas include cars, habitat ebparks.org the mother warms her developing offspring destruction, collection, or extermination. The by dragging the case to the burrow entrance. East Bay Regional Park District preserves habitats The rubbery eggs hatch into deutova, or “eggs- of grassland and oak/pine woodland, preferred Visitor Centers with-legs.” They cannot walk or move until by tarantulas. Be careful not to step on tarantulas Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont after their first molt, when they shed their crossing roads and trails in late summer/fall. 510-544-2797, [email protected] exoskeleton (outer skin) in order to grow. Remember that collection of tarantulas in Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley Then they leave the sheltered case, forming parklands is prohibited. Enjoy a visit with these Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta a fuzzy carpet of spiderlings. gentle giants, but allow them the freedom to 510-544-3050, [email protected] Hunger drives them out on their own. They live their lives as tarantulas always have—as Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch seek shelter until they can excavate their own important players in the intricate web of life. 510-544-2750, [email protected] burrows, using their pedipalps and chelicerae Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont (fangs). Sometimes they use webby sheets to haul Questions? 510-544-3220, [email protected] dirt from the hole. They spend the next several years in darkness, hunting insects, spiders, If you have any questions about tarantulas in the Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda and even small lizards at night. East Bay, call or email a Park District naturalist Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium at one of the Visitor Centers. 510-544-3187, [email protected] Unlike other spiders, tarantulas don’t use webs, Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore jump or run to capture prey. Instead, they hunt 510-544-3146, [email protected] by waiting motionlessly near their burrows. They Open summer weekends have poor eyesight but special hairs that help them smell, sense vibrations, and detect air Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks, Hayward currents from passing prey. The spider 510-544-3220 (Coyote Hills), [email protected] Open summer weekends then grabs the insect and utilizes its venomous bite to kill Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol its prey. 510-544-3249, [email protected] Open weekends only Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Botanic Garden: 510-544-3169, [email protected] Tilden Nature Area/Environmental Education Center 510-544-2233, [email protected] Regional Parks Membership enjoy free day-use parking, swimming, dog pass, and more. 510-544-2220 regionalparksfoundation.org Bay Area blonde tarantula On the cover: Ba y Area blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma smithi) (Aphonopelma smithi) Soy Ink Bug 20200513 goes here Tarantulas Brochure 2020-5-5.indd 1 5/13/20 11:34 AM Courtship If the tarantula survives these threats, he may discover a female’s burrow. Courtship begins with rhythmic tapping of the ground with pedipalps. His body vibrates. He slaps the Female ground with his front legs—much like knocking Tarantula on the door. She scrambles out with raised Tarantula Anatomy Hawk Wasp fangs and pedipalps. To ensure his safety against the larger female, he uses his new tibial spurs, hooking them under her fangs. He carefully props her upwards, and during a mad tangle Tarantulas Deadly Enemy of dancing legs and pedipalps, mating occurs. Contrary to common belief, he will probably It is summer in the rolling hills of the East In late summer, a female tarantula hawk wasp not become her next meal. Though not Bay. The shade of oaks and pines offers some (Pepsis sp.) cruises the grasslands seeking unheard of, cannibalism is rare. Instead, they respite from the intense heat. In the darkness tarantulas. She needs food—not for herself, but may mate several times, or he’ll search for of a silk-lined burrow extending into the cool for her offspring. If she spots a wandering victim another female. Whether the male mates earth, the male Bay Area Blonde Tarantula or entices one from its burrow, a deadly dance or not, his days are numbered. After reaching (Aphonopelma smithi) transforms. Flipping over, commences. The tarantula defends itself with maturity, he likely won’t see another spring. the arachnid begins to shed his outer skin. fangs while the wasp dives underneath to give Females live up to 30 years. His new exoskeleton is fully formed beneath. a paralyzing sting—one of the most painful in the His cephalothorax (head-chest) hinges open. insect world, though not lethal. She drags her He drags his body out through this door. Legs victim into a hole, lays a single egg, and seals must be quickly pulled from their old skeletal the still-living spider into its grave. coverings, lest they become trapped forever. The larva hatches and begins to Fluids pump through his body, swelling the soft feed, avoiding vital organs, skin to its proper size before it hardens. He has which keeps its host become an adult after about seven years and alive and fresh. After a has acquired tools for mating. His front legs month, even these are consumed before now have tibial spurs, which resemble hooked no destination, or direction. Instead, males tend thumbs. Pedipalps, leg-like “helping hands” the wasp completes to wander great distances randomly searching. its life cycle. by his mouth, have become bulb-like and Thus far, life has been spent under cover of are now ready for mating. darkness; now, he searches by day and night. In late summer, he moves to the burrow’s He may succumb to the elements or predators. entrance, awaiting the protection of night. His defense is not his venomous bite, which, He, and thousands of other males born nearly though painful, is generally harmless to humans. a decade ago, will spend the rest of their lives Instead, his legs flick barbed hairs from his wandering in search of females. abdomen into a predators’ eyes and nose, causing Although stories of mass tarantula migrations burning, stinging, or even temporary blindness. abound, this late summer movement is not He is relatively defenseless, however, against his Tarantulas truly a migration. There is no synchronization, most fearsome foe, the tarantula hawk wasp. preparing to mate. Female on left. Tarantulas Brochure 2020-5-5.indd 2 5/13/20 11:34 AM.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Tarantulas in the Pacific Northwest1
    WSU Puyallup REC PLS-108 Updated July 2003 Tarantulas in the Pacific Northwest1 Tarantulas (Fig. 1) in the Pacific Northwest? Well, maybe not like the hairy monsters of the tropics, but some very interesting "atypical" species do occur here. Our species belong to the family Antrodiaetidae. One of our most common spiders is the folding-door spider, Antrodiaetus pacificus (Simon). It is a fairly large species, females ranging from 11 to 13 millimeters in length, males slightly smaller. They are generally dark brown to almost black in color with the abdomen purplish brown. Males are characterized by their long legs, slim bodies, and three tergites (hardened plates) on the abdomen. Females (Fig. 2) are more robust with only one tergite. These spiders excavate burrows in the soil or in damp, rotten wood, digging with a row of spines on each chelicer, known as a ratellum. The six to ten inch deep vertical shafts are lined with silk. The webbing extends beyond ground level as a short collar of camouflaged silk. The turret’s two sides may be drawn in by the occupant, forming two "doors" which meet in the middle. At night, Antrodiaetus assumes a foraging posture with its pedipalps and first pair of legs just touching the rim of silk at the mouth of the tube. In this position, the folding door spider can readily detect an insect moving above ground. The spider will leap out of its burrow with lightning speed, seize its victim, and drop back down, like a terrorizing Jack-in-the-box. When finished with its meal, it will add the insect's dry, dismembered body to a silk-covered trash pile at the bottom of its burrow.
    [Show full text]
  • What's Eating You? Tarantulas (Theraphosidae)
    Close enCounters With the environment What’s Eating You? Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) Lauren E. Krug, BS; Dirk M. Elston, MD arantulas belong to the family Theraphosidae, which contains more than 900 species of T hairy and often very large spiders (Figure). Depending on the species, the tarantula’s body length ranges from 1 to 4 in with 3- to 12-in leg spans. At 12 in, the largest reported species is the Goliath bird- eating spider (Theraphosa blondi). The tarantula’s body consists of 4 pairs of legs that terminate in retractable claws, allowing the spider to grip and climb. Two additional pointed appendages called chelicerae are located just below the eyes and are used to grip food and prey. They contain the venomCUTIS glands that allow the spider to immobilize and kill its prey.1 In addition to the regular hairs that cover the Tarantula. spider’s body, most New World species possess barbed urticating hairs that can be released to defend the spider when it feels threatened. Located on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, the hairs are dislodged when Secondary glaucoma and cataract formation also have the Dospider rapidly vibrates 1 or Notboth of its hind legs.2 been reported.Copy10 Patients suspected of having ocular Once released, the hairs travel similar to arrows, giv- injuries should be seen by an ophthalmologist and ing them the ability to penetrate deeply into the eyes examined with a slit lamp.11 Management includes and other tissues and to cause prolonged localized topical steroids and antibiotics as well as removal of urticaria in skin.3 Histologically, skin lesions may the hairs, which may be difficult or impossible.4-9,12 demonstrate hairs that have penetrated both the Some species of tarantulas may incorporate urticating stratum corneum and stratum malpighii.
    [Show full text]
  • Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula Native Range Map
    Chilean Rose-haired Tarantula Native Range Map Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Chelicerata Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theraphosidae Genus : Grammostola Species : gala Photo courtesy of Karen Marzynski Habitat • In the Wild: This species of tarantula can be found in Chile, in dry grassland regions at the edge of the desert. • Exhibit Location: Zoo to You Collection Characteristics • Adults grow to be 4.5 – 5.5 inches in diameter. • There are 2 different color schemes, depending on where in Chile they are from. Many are brownish, while others are more reddish or pink in color. • This tarantula has a hard external skeleton (exoskeleton) and 8 jointed legs. The exterior of the body is covered by long, bristle-like hairs. There is a smaller pair of sensory appendages called pedipalps. They have 8 eyes, 2 fangs, and are venomous (poisonous). They have a cephalothorax (composed of the head and thorax) to which all appendages except the spinnerets (tubular structures from which web silk are produced) are attached. The spinnerets are found on the abdomen. • Individual hairs may be sensitive to motion, heat, cold, and other environmental triggers. Hairs near the mouth are capable of sensing chemicals that give the spider a basic type of sense of smell and taste. • Lifespan: In the Wild males 3-10 years, females 15-20 years; In Captivity males less than 2 years, females 20 or more years (average is 12 years) Behaviors • The Chilean rose-haired tarantula is a nocturnal (nighttime) hunter and finds a shelter to web itself into at dawn. • Their digestive system is designed to deal with liquid food only.
    [Show full text]
  • Hemolymph and Hemocytes of Tarantula Spiders: Physiological Roles and Potential As Sources of Bioactive Molecules
    In: Advances in Animal Science and Zoology. Volume 8 ISBN: 978-1-63483-552-7 Editor: Owen P. Jenkins © 2015 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. No part of this digital document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted commercially in any form or by any means. The publisher has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this digital document, but makes no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of information contained herein. This digital document is sold with the clear understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, medical or any other professional services. Chapter 8 HEMOLYMPH AND HEMOCYTES OF TARANTULA SPIDERS: PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES AND POTENTIAL AS SOURCES OF BIOACTIVE MOLECULES Tatiana Soares, Thiago H. Napoleão, Felipe R. B. Ferreira and Patrícia M. G. Paiva∗ Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil ABSTRACT Arachnids compose the most important and numerous group of chelicerates and include spiders, scorpions, mites and ticks. Some arachnids have a worldwide distribution and can live for more than two decades. This is in part due to their efficient defense system, with an innate immunity that acts as a first line of protection against bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. The adaptive success of the spiders stimulates the study of their defense mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels with both biological and biotechnological purposes. The hemocytes (plasmatocytes, cyanocytes, granulocytes, prohemocytes, and leberidocytes) of spiders are responsible for phagocytosis, nodulation, and encapsulation of pathogens as well as produce substances that mediate humoral mechanisms such as antimicrobial peptides and factors involved in the coagulation of hemolymph and melanization of microorganisms.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Kansas Spiders
    A Pocket Guide to Common Kansas Spiders By Hank Guarisco Photos by Hank Guarisco Funded by Westar Energy Green Team, American Arachnological Society and the Chickadee Checkoff Published by the Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center i Table of Contents Introduction • 2 Arachnophobia • 3 Spider Anatomy • 4 House Spiders • 5 Hunting Spiders • 5 Venomous Spiders • 6-7 Spider Webs • 8-9 Other Arachnids • 9-12 Species accounts • 13 Texas Brown Tarantula • 14 Brown Recluse • 15 Northern Black Widow • 16 Southern & Western Black Widows • 17-18 Woodlouse Spider • 19 Truncated Cellar Spider • 20 Elongated Cellar Spider • 21 Common Cellar Spider • 22 Checkered Cobweb Weaver • 23 Quasi-social Cobweb Spider • 24 Carolina Wolf Spider • 25 Striped Wolf Spider • 26 Dotted Wolf Spider • 27 Western Lance Spider • 28 Common Nurseryweb Spider • 29 Tufted Nurseryweb Spider • 30 Giant Fishing Spider • 31 Six-spotted Fishing Spider • 32 Garden Ghost Spider Cover Photo: Cherokee Star-bellied Orbweaver ii Eastern Funnelweb Spider • 33 Eastern and Western Parson Spiders • 34 Garden Ghost Spider • 35 Bark Crab Spider • 36 Prairie Crab Spider • 37 Texas Crab Spider • 38 Black-banded Crab Spider • 39 Ridge-faced Flower Spider • 40 Striped Lynx Spider • 41 Black-banded Common and Convict Zebra Spiders • 42 Crab Spider Dimorphic Jumping Spider • 43 Bold Jumping Spider • 44 Apache Jumping Spider • 45 Prairie Jumping Spider • 46 Emerald Jumping Spider • 47 Bark Jumping Spider • 48 Puritan Pirate Spider • 49 Eastern and Four-lined Pirate Spiders • 50 Orchard Spider • 51 Castleback Orbweaver • 52 Triangulate Orbweaver • 53 Common & Cherokee Star-bellied Orbweavers • 54 Black & Yellow Garden Spider • 55 Banded Garden Spider • 56 Marbled Orbweaver • 57 Eastern Arboreal Orbweaver • 58 Western Arboreal Orbweaver • 59 Furrow Orbweaver • 60 Eastern Labyrinth Orbweaver • 61 Giant Long-jawed Orbweaver • 62 Silver Long-jawed Orbweaver • 63 Bowl and Doily Spider • 64 Filmy Dome Spider • 66 References • 67 Pocket Guides • 68-69 1 Introduction This is a guide to the most common spiders found in Kansas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Endemic Giant Tarantula
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of endemic giant tarantula, Lyrognathus crotalus (Araneae: Theraphosidae) and comparative analysis Vikas Kumar, Kaomud Tyagi *, Rajasree Chakraborty, Priya Prasad, Shantanu Kundu, Inderjeet Tyagi & Kailash Chandra The complete mitochondrial genome of Lyrognathus crotalus is sequenced, annotated and compared with other spider mitogenomes. It is 13,865 bp long and featured by 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and a control region (CR). Most of the PCGs used ATN start codon except cox3, and nad4 with TTG. Comparative studies indicated the use of TTG, TTA, TTT, GTG, CTG, CTA as start codons by few PCGs. Most of the tRNAs were truncated and do not fold into the typical cloverleaf structure. Further, the motif (CATATA) was detected in CR of nine species including L. crotalus. The gene arrangement of L. crotalus compared with ancestral arthropod showed the transposition of fve tRNAs and one tandem duplication random loss (TDRL) event. Five plesiomophic gene blocks (A-E) were identifed, of which, four (A, B, D, E) retained in all taxa except family Salticidae. However, block C was retained in Mygalomorphae and two families of Araneomorphae (Hypochilidae and Pholcidae). Out of 146 derived gene boundaries in all taxa, 15 synapomorphic gene boundaries were identifed. TreeREx analysis also revealed the transposition of trnI, which makes three derived boundaries and congruent with the result of the gene boundary mapping. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference showed similar topologies and congruent with morphology, and previously reported multi-gene phylogeny. However, the Gene-Order based phylogeny showed sister relationship of L.
    [Show full text]
  • Colorado Tarantulas
    Colorado Arachnids of Interest Colorado Tarantulas Scientific Name: Aphonopelma spp. (3-5 species) Class: Arachnida (Arachnids) Order: Araneae (Spiders) Family: Theraphosidae (Tarantulas) Figure 1. Male Oklahoma brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) crossing road. Identification and Descriptive Features: Tarantulas (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6) are large, hairy spiders and all species found in Colorado are generally dark brown to black. Longer hairs are usually present on the abdomen and these may be a lighter brown color. Some banding of colors may be present on the legs. The carapace (back of the section with legs and head/cephalothorax) of eastern Colorado species ranges from light gray-brown to dark reddish brown with some coppery tones. Almost all tarantulas that are observed are mature males migrating in late summer and early fall. Females (Figure 2), which are much less commonly collected and observed than the adult males, will be found within the very near vicinity of their burrows. They usually have similar markings to the males but do not develop the very long legs of mature males. Adult females are also considerably larger than the Figure 2. Tarantula female emerging from males. For example, the carapace length of A. hentzi burrow. Otero County. may be about 20 mm in the female and only about 15 mm in the male. Two “mini-tarantulas” are known from western Colorado. Most common is Aphonopelma vogelae Smith (Figure 3). County records for this species include Montezuma, Montrose, and San Miguel. Males have a carapace length of about 10 mm. The western Colorado species tend to be more uniformly dark brown to black than those in southeastern Colorado.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to Arthropods Bandelier National Monument
    A Guide to Arthropods Bandelier National Monument Top left: Melanoplus akinus Top right: Vanessa cardui Bottom left: Elodes sp. Bottom right: Wolf Spider (Family Lycosidae) by David Lightfoot Compiled by Theresa Murphy Nov 2012 In collaboration with Collin Haffey, Craig Allen, David Lightfoot, Sandra Brantley and Kay Beeley WHAT ARE ARTHROPODS? And why are they important? What’s the difference between Arthropods and Insects? Most of this guide is comprised of insects. These are animals that have three body segments- head, thorax, and abdomen, three pairs of legs, and usually have wings, although there are several wingless forms of insects. Insects are of the Class Insecta and they make up the largest class of the phylum called Arthropoda (arthropods). However, the phylum Arthopoda includes other groups as well including Crustacea (crabs, lobsters, shrimps, barnacles, etc.), Myriapoda (millipedes, centipedes, etc.) and Arachnida (scorpions, king crabs, spiders, mites, ticks, etc.). Arthropods including insects and all other animals in this phylum are characterized as animals with a tough outer exoskeleton or body-shell and flexible jointed limbs that allow the animal to move. Although this guide is comprised mostly of insects, some members of the Myriapoda and Arachnida can also be found here. Remember they are all arthropods but only some of them are true ‘insects’. Entomologist - A scientist who focuses on the study of insects! What’s bugging entomologists? Although we tend to call all insects ‘bugs’ according to entomology a ‘true bug’ must be of the Order Hemiptera. So what exactly makes an insect a bug? Insects in the order Hemiptera have sucking, beak-like mouthparts, which are tucked under their “chin” when Metallic Green Bee (Agapostemon sp.) not in use.
    [Show full text]
  • PDF Download Wasp Ebook Free Download
    WASP PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Eric Frank Russell | 192 pages | 09 May 2013 | Orion Publishing Co | 9780575129047 | English | London, United Kingdom 25 Types of Wasps and Hornets - ProGardenTips Megascolia procer , a giant solitary species from Java in the Scoliidae. This specimen's length is 77mm and its wingspan is mm. Megarhyssa macrurus , a parasitoid. The body of a female is 50mm long, with a c. Tarantula hawk wasp dragging an orange-kneed tarantula to her burrow; it has the most painful sting of any wasp. Of the dozens of extant wasp families, only the family Vespidae contains social species, primarily in the subfamilies Vespinae and Polistinae. All species of social wasps construct their nests using some form of plant fiber mostly wood pulp as the primary material, though this can be supplemented with mud, plant secretions e. Wood fibres are gathered from weathered wood, softened by chewing and mixing with saliva. The placement of nests varies from group to group; yellow jackets such as Dolichovespula media and D. Other wasps, like Agelaia multipicta and Vespula germanica , like to nest in cavities that include holes in the ground, spaces under homes, wall cavities or in lofts. While most species of wasps have nests with multiple combs, some species, such as Apoica flavissima , only have one comb. The vast majority of wasp species are solitary insects. There are some species of solitary wasp that build communal nests, each insect having its own cell and providing food for its own offspring, but these wasps do not adopt the division of labour and the complex behavioural patterns adopted by eusocial species.
    [Show full text]
  • (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Miocene Chiapas Amber, Mexico
    XX…………………………………… ARTÍCULO: A fossil tarantula (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Miocene Chiapas amber, Mexico Jason A. Dunlop, Danilo Harms & David Penney ARTÍCULO: A fossil tarantula (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Miocene Chiapas amber, Mexico Jason A. Dunlop Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt Universität zu Berlin D-10115 Berlin, Germany [email protected] Abstract: Danilo Harms A fossil tarantula (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) is described from Freie Universität BerlinInstitut für an exuvium in Tertiary (Miocene) Chiapas amber, Simojovel region, Chiapas Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie State, Mexico. It is difficult to assign it further taxonomically, but it is the first Evolution und Systematik der Tiere mygalomorph recorded from Chiapas amber and only the second unequivocal Königin-Luise-Str. 1–3 record of a fossil theraphosid. With a carapace length of ca. 0.9 cm and an es- D-14195 Berlin, Germany timated leg span of at least 5 cm it also represents the largest spider ever re- [email protected] corded from amber. Of the fifteen currently recognised mygalomorph families, eleven have a fossil record (summarised here), namely: Atypidae, Antrodiaeti- David Penney dae, Mecicobothriidae, Hexathelidae, Dipluridae, Ctenizidae, Nemesiidae, Mi- Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental crostigmatidae, Barychelidae, Cyrtaucheniidae and Theraphosidae. Sciences. Key words: Araneae, Theraphosidae, Palaeontology, Miocene, amber, Chiapas, The University of Manchester Mexico. Manchester. M13 9PL, UK [email protected] Revista Ibérica de Aracnología ISSN: 1576 - 9518. Un fósil de tarántula (Araneae: Theraphosidae) en ambar del Dep. Legal: Z-2656-2000. Vol. 15, 30-VI-2007 mioceno de Chiapas, México. Sección: Artículos y Notas. Pp: 9 − 17. Fecha publicación: 30 Abril 2008 Resumen: Se describe una tarántula fósil a partir de una exuvia en ámbar del terciario Edita: (mioceno) de Chiapas, región de Simojovel, estado de Chiapas, Mexico.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Funnel-Web Spiders Evolved Human-Lethal Δ-Hexatoxins for Defense Against Vertebrate Predators
    Australian funnel-web spiders evolved human-lethal δ-hexatoxins for defense against vertebrate predators Volker Herziga,b,1,2, Kartik Sunagarc,1, David T. R. Wilsond,1, Sandy S. Pinedaa,e,1, Mathilde R. Israela, Sebastien Dutertref, Brianna Sollod McFarlandg, Eivind A. B. Undheima,h,i, Wayne C. Hodgsonj, Paul F. Alewooda, Richard J. Lewisa, Frank Bosmansk, Irina Vettera,l, Glenn F. Kinga,2, and Bryan G. Frym,2 aInstitute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; bGeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; cEvolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; dCentre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD 4878, Australia; eBrain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2052, Australia; fInstitut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université Montpellier, CNRS, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France; gSollod Scientific Analysis, Timnath, CO 80547; hCentre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; iCentre for Ecology and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; jMonash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; kBasic and Applied Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; lSchool
    [Show full text]
  • Adaptations of Insects at Cloudbridge Nature Reserve, Costa Rica
    Adaptations of Insects at Cloudbridge Nature Reserve, Costa Rica Aiden Vey Cloudbridge Nature Reserve July 2007 Introduction Costa Rica’s location between North and South America, its neotropical climate and variety of elevations and habitats makes it one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. Despite being only 51,100km² in size, it contains about 5% (505,000) of the world’s species. Of these, 35,000 insect species have been recorded and estimates stand at around 300,000. The more well known insects include the 8,000 species of moth and 1,250 butterflies - almost 10% of the world total, and 500 more than in the USA! Other abundant insects of Costa Rica include ants, beetles, wasps and bees, grasshoppers and katydids. The following article presents a select few aspects of the insect life found at Cloudbridge, a nature reserve in the Talamanca mountain range. Relationships Insects play many important roles in Costa Rica, including pollination of the bountiful flora and as a food supply for many other organisms. The adult Owl butterfly (Caligo atreus, shown at right) feeds on many Heliconiaceae and Musaceae (banana) species, in particular on the rotting fruit. They are pollinators of these plants, but also use the leaves to lay eggs on. When hatched, the larvae remain on the plant and eat the leaves. Being highly gregarious, they can cause significant damage, and are considered as pests (especially in banana plantations). However, there are a number of insects that parasitise the Caligo larvae, including the common Winthemia fly (left) and Trichogramma and Ichneumon wasps, which act as biological control agents.
    [Show full text]