Distribution and Taxonomic Status of Tarantulas in Arkansas (Theraphosidae: Aphonopelma) Michael D
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Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science Volume 62 Article 17 2008 Distribution and Taxonomic Status of Tarantulas in Arkansas (Theraphosidae: Aphonopelma) Michael D. Warriner Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas Part of the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Warriner, Michael D. (2008) "Distribution and Taxonomic Status of Tarantulas in Arkansas (Theraphosidae: Aphonopelma)," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 62 , Article 17. Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol62/iss1/17 This article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able to read, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 62 [2008], Art. 17 Distribution and Taxonomic Status of Tarantulas in Arkansas (Theraphosidae: Aphonopelma) M. Warriner Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201 Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract Several of the characters cited in the past as comprising species-level distinctions (Chamberlin and The genus Aphonopelma (Theraphosidae) is marked Ivie 1939, Chamberlin 1940, Smith 1995) have since by a dearth of distributional data and a problematic been shown to be of little indicative value (Prentice taxonomy. To develop occurrence information for the 1997). Use of dubious characters now calls into genus in Arkansas, I conducted a citizen-science based question the validity of several Aphonopelma species. survey augmented by field work and examination of Three tarantula species have been reported as museum collections. Results of these efforts yielded a occurring in Arkansas, A. hentzi Girard 1854, A. baergi significant amount of data that enabled the construction Chamberlin 1940, and A. odelli Smith 1995. of a county level map of Aphonopelma distribution in Aphonopelma hentzi was the first tarantula species Arkansas; a resource hitherto unavailable. Three described in the United States (Girard 1854, Smith Aphonopelma species have been described as occurring 1995). Chamberlin (1940) describes A. hentzi as the in Arkansas: A. baergi, A. hentzi, and A. odelli. most common tarantula “along the valley of the Red Specimens were collected from Arkansas and River in Arkansas and Oklahoma, etc.” With the Oklahoma to evaluate taxonomic and historical issues designation of several additional Aphonopelma species concerning the three species. Morphologically, the across the region, including A. baergi and A. odelli, specimen series examined comprised a relatively Smith (1995) later redefined the range of A. hentzi as homogeneous group most similar to descriptions of A. limited to northern and central Oklahoma. This range hentzi. In light of comparison with specimens reduction may not be justified, however. Given the examined for this study, species descriptions of A. aforementioned issues, it is not clear what baergi and A. odelli are marked by such taxonomic Aphonopelma species actually occur in Arkansas. uncertainty as to challenge their validity and presence Detailed information is also lacking regarding in Arkansas. distribution of the genus across the state. Several species are still known only from their type locality Introduction and nowhere else. A problematic taxonomy coupled with a dearth of distributional data hampers efforts to Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) are among the largest conserve Aphonopelma species; a group of potential and most recognizable spiders in North America. Over conservation concern. Like many other invertebrates, 50 species have been described as occurring in the tarantulas have received little attention from the United States, all within the genus Aphonopelma conservation community (Skerl 1999). (Platnick 2008). North of Mexico, representatives of Although no Aphonopelma species is currently the genus range from California into Nevada, Utah, listed as endangered or threatened at the federal or state Colorado, and Kansas, southward into Arizona, New level, other tarantula genera in North America contain Mexico, and Texas. Portions of Missouri, Arkansas, members who are of conservation concern. A number and Louisiana represent the eastern limits of the genus. of Brachypelma species in Mexico have declined due The south-central region of the United States to collection for the pet trade and habitat destruction (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas) contains (Locht et al. 1999). The long life spans, delayed sexual 18 Aphonopelma species (Smith 1995). Taxonomy of maturity, and limited dispersal abilities characteristic this group of spiders is problematic. Most recognized of tarantulas may make them especially vulnerable to Aphonopelma species in the United States were such factors (Janowski-Bell 2001). described by Chamberlin and Ivie (1939), Chamberlin The objectives of this study were to define (1940), and Smith (1995) from small numbers of Aphonopelma distribution across Arkansas and to specimens. As a result, consideration of individual examine morphological variation in a preliminary variation within and among populations was limited. effort to evaluate the taxonomic status of species listed as occurring in the state. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 62, 2008 Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 2008 107 107 Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 62 [2008], Art. 17 M. Warriner Materials and Methods field surveys and searched museum collections for specimens. Distribution In order to assess the distribution of tarantulas Morphology rapidly at a state-wide level, I developed a citizen- Morphological measurements of collected science effort called the Arkansas Tarantula Survey. specimens were made in mm using a dial caliper, ±0.01 The survey’s objective was to solicit tarantula sightings mm. Attention was focused on taxonomic characters from individual across the state. The survey followed found by Prentice (1997) to have high discriminatory the general methodology of a citizen-based effort value for both sexes. Leg and pedipalp measurements conducted in Missouri to map tarantula distribution were made on the left side of all specimens. (Janowski-Bell 2001). The Missouri effort proved Trochanters and coxae were measured from their successful in generating useable distributional data ventral aspect. All other leg measurements were taken over a large geographical area in a short amount of dorsally. Carapace length was taken with anterior and time with limited monetary expenditure. posterior margins in the same horizontal plane. To acquire citizen observations of tarantulas, I Carapace length is considered to the best indicator of created a website which described the purpose of the overall size in Aphonopelma species (Prentice 1997). survey, detailed how individuals could participate, and Extent of metatarsal scopulation was evaluated by provided tools for tarantula identification. I also using maximum extent of complete metatarsus I developed printed materials in the form of full color scopula as the proximal point for measurement in posters that contained information about the survey. metatarsi II-IV. Palp length was calculated by adding These posters were mailed to personnel at select state the lengths of the femur, patella, and tibia only. parks, state wildlife management areas, national Spermathecae and emboli were illustrated with aid of a wildlife refuges, and national forests in Arkansas with stereomicroscope. All collected specimens were stored the request that they be posted in areas accessible to in 80% ethanol and deposited into the Arthropod the public. To further publicize the survey, I sought Museum at the University of Arkansas. media attention through dissemination of press releases to news outlets and contacted newspaper reporters Results and Discussion across the state. The survey was open for public reporting from Distribution February 2004 to December 2004. That time span The citizen-survey resulted in the submission of 523 covers the active period for Aphonopelma species in observations. Of that total, 393 observations were Arkansas, particularly the dispersal of adult males deemed valid sightings of tarantulas. The majority of during the fall breeding season (Baerg 1958). sightings were submitted via the web-based reporting Individuals were asked to submit tarantula sightings form. The first observations of tarantulas by survey either online through a web-based reporting form, e- participants were submitted in March 2004. In mail, telephone, or postal service. A “sighting” was Arkansas, tarantulas are known to unseal their burrows, defined as the observation of an individual tarantula following overwintering, from mid-February within a given area at one point in time. Survey throughout May (Baerg 1958). Number of tarantula participants were asked to provide their contact sightings reached one of two peaks for the year in May information, the location and date of their sighting, and 2004. Based on descriptions