Notes on the behavior of Pachistopelma rufonigrum Pocock (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Aspects of the behavior of the theraphosid spider Pachistopelma rufonigrum, in two species of tank bromeliads in an area with white sands in the Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brazil, are described. Observations on habitat, microhabitat, foraging, ecdysis and reproduction, were made. Our data suggested that P. rufonigrum inhabits only these species of bromeliads, since all stages of the life cycle were observed in the plant. The relationships degrees between P. rufonigrum and the species of studied tank bromeliads are discussed.

Microhabitat selection and co-occurrence of Pachistopelma rufonigrum Pocock (Araneae, Theraphosidae) and Nothroctenus fuxico sp. nov. (Araneae, Ctenidae) in tank bromeliads from Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brazil

“…This is probably the reason why no preference was observed in the studied spiders. DIAS & BRESCOVIT (2003) state that, for P. rufonigrum, only one spider occurs in each plant. This is probably also the case for N. fuxico sp.…”

“…nov.). All stages of the life cycle of both species have been recorded inside the plants, confirming that the bromeliads are used as a reproduction site and that the spiders are probably associated exclusively to these plants throughout their entire life cycle (DIAS et al 2000, DIAS & BRESCOVIT 2003. The aims of this study were to investigate the preference of these spiders towards any of the plant species, A condição da temperatura dentro e fora das plantas foi medida para verificar se a temperatura da água acumulada dentro da bromélia afeta algum aspecto comportamental das aranhas que ali vivem.…”

“…Co-occurrence of spiders DIAS & BRESCOVIT (2003) observed that P. rufonigrum and N. fuxico sp. nov. are sometimes found inhabiting the same plant.…”

“…The genus Pachistopelma Pocock, 1901 includes only two species P. concolor Caporiacco, 1947, restricted to the Guyana, and the abovementioned species (PLATNICK 2003). Notes on the behavior of the P. rufonigrum were presented by DIAS & BRESCOVIT (2003). In this paper data on the distribution range of P. rufonigrum is presented based on material from the collections of the Instituto Butantan, São Paulo (IBSP) and Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ).…”

“…Some species use the plants as reproductive sites (BARTH et al 1988, DIAS et al 2000, ROSSA-FERES et al 2000, DIAS & BRESCOVIT 2003, for foraging (DIAS & BRESCOVIT 2003) or even as a shelter against desiccation (BARTH et al 1998). Although there are several papers that deal with the relationship between spiders and host plants, none present information on the co-occurrence and niche overlapping of large spiders.…”