Metasolpuga
| Metasolpuga | |
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| M. picta | |
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| Genus: | Metasolpuga Roewer, 1934
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Metasolpuga is a genus of solifuge or sun spider.[1] The monotypic genus contains the species Metasolpuga picta Kraepelin 1899 which is native to Namibia.[2] It is one of several large, diurnal solifuge species that occur in the arid regions of southern Africa.[3]
Its habitat is interdune valleys of the Namib Desert. They are active when ground surface temperatures are between 40 and 61°C. In experimental conditions they become lethargic at 20 ± 1°C, and at 5 to 10°C they become completely torpid.[3] During mid-winter it is believed to become lethargic in burrows for days or weeks. Egg depositing has been recorded during early spring and late summer.[3] Data suggests that male M. picta are short lived and die after mating season due to high energy demands and low food intake. [4]
References
- ^ "Solpuginae". BioLib.cz. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Genus Metasolpuga". The Solifugae Website. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ a b c Wharton, Robert A. (1987). "Biology of the diurnal Metasolpuga picta (Kraepelin) (Soligugae, Solpugidae) compared with that of nocturnal species" (PDF). J. Arachnol. (14): 363–383. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ Wharton, Robert A. (1986). "Biology of the Diurnal Metasolpuga picta (Kraepelin) (Solifugae, Solpugidae) Compared with That of Nocturnal Species". The Journal of Arachnology. 14 (3): 363–383. ISSN 0161-8202. JSTOR 3705676.
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