The Distribution and Population Status ofNesiergus insulanusAraneae: Theraphosidae: Ischnocolinae) on Frégate Island, Seychelles

Aspects of the Ecology and Behaviour of the Seychelles TheraphosidNesiergus insulanus(Arachnida: Araneae: Theraphosidae)

“…P. maximum has since established itself widely on the island and forms dense thickets in many areas of the island. Cattle and pigs have been removed, and although these changes have affected the distribution of this and other species (Canning et al 2014), Frégate has retained important faunal biodiversity and has been the subject of concerted conservation efforts that have included the eradication of cats in the 1990s, rats in 2000 (Millet et al 2005) and the common myna Acridotheres tristis linnaeus, 1766 in 2011 (Canning 2011).…”

“…It is a member of the subfamily Ischnocolinae, and appears to be endemic to the Seychelles archipelago, with little known of its ecology and status. Published reports consist of nothing more than taxonomic descriptions and brief observations of their natural history (Simon 1903;Guadanucci & Gallon 2008;Saaristo 2010;Canning et al 2014). This dearth of knowledge is not restricted to this species and there is a general lack of baseline information on most spider groups (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al 2005).…”