The longest-lived spider: Mygalomorphs dig deep, and persevere

Mason, Leanda; Wardell-Johnson, Grant; Main, B.

doi:10.1071/PC18015

267237.pdf (1.007Mb)

Access Status

Open access

Authors

Mason, Leanda

Wardell-Johnson, Grant

Main, B.

Date

2018

Type

Journal Article

Metadata

Show full item record

Citation

Mason, L. and Wardell-Johnson, G. and Main, B. 2018. The longest-lived spider: Mygalomorphs dig deep, and persevere. Pacific Conservation Biology. 24 (2): pp. 203-206.

Source Title

Pacific Conservation Biology

DOI

10.1071/PC18015

ISSN

1038-2097

School

WASM: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE)

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/68826

Collection

Curtin Research Publications

Abstract

© CSIRO. We report the longest-lived spider documented to date. A 43-year-old, female Gaius villosus Rainbow, 1914 (Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae) has recently died during a long-term population study. This study was initiated by Barbara York Main at North Bungulla Reserve near Tammin, south-Western Australia, in 1974. Annual monitoring of this species of burrowing, sedentary mygalomorph spider yielded not only this record-breaking discovery but also invaluable information for high-priority conservation taxa within a global biodiversity hotspot. We suggest that the life-styles of short-range endemics provide lessons for humanity and sustainable living in old stable landscapes.