Baboon and trapdoor spiders of southern africa: an identification manual
CD-ROM
The Mygalomorphae is a suborder of spiders that include some of the
largest and most fascinating spiders - the baboon spiders (also known as
tarantula spiders) and trapdoor spiders. Among the spiders they are regarded as
more primitive than most and the oldest fossil record date back to the Triassic
Period. Most mygalomorph families are terrestrial and live in silk-lined
retreats. This could be burrows of various shapes made in the soil or sac-like
chambers made under rocks or on tree trunks. The entrances to these retreats can
be left open or closed off with a trapdoor made out of silk and soil particles.
Most species are nocturnal and hide during the day in their retreats. At night
they wait in the entrance of their retreats for passing prey or they wander
around in search of prey. They prey on a variety of insects and small animals
and form an important part of the ecological food chain. They are long-lived
animals and can reach 20 years in captivity.
The area covered in this book is the Southern African sub region here defined
as the area south of the Cunene and Zambezi rivers. It includes the following
seven countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique (part), Namibia, South Africa,
Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
The book contain the following information:
· illustrated keys to identify families, subfamilies, genera and where
possible species
· diagnostic and descriptive characters for each family, subfamily and genus
· taxonomic and natural history notes for each genus
· a complete species list with maps to illustrate their distribution
· notes on conservation and toxicity
· and an extensive bibliography.
This book should appeal to the professional scientist, as well as amateur
naturalist alike. It will provide the reader information to identify our fast
mygalomorph fauna and to better appreciate the wonderful and diverse world of
spiders.
Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 13, Agricultural Research
Council, Pretoria
Author: A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman
Publication date: February 2002
Pages: 128
ISBN: 1 86849 200 1
CD-ROM: CD-ROM of the manual with hyper-linked text included in back pocket with
a full-colour photo gallery
Size: 19.5 X 25.5 cm (ring bind with full-colour cover)
Illustrations: 230 line drawings; 26 maps; 13 black and white photographs; 6
full-colour photographs on cover
Price: R 185.00 (including VAT, excluding postage and packaging)
Published by: Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research
Institute.
For more information contact: Dr Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman
e-mail: rietasd@plant2.agric.za
It is available from the internet www.arc.agric.za
(shopping) or
ARC-PPRI PUBLICATIONS
ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Pretoria, 0001,
South Africa.
Tel: +27 12 808 0952; Fax: +27 12 808 952
e-mail: nipblk@plant1.agric.za or info@plant1.agric.za
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