The early life history and dispersal of the cave spider Meta menardi (Latreille, 1804) (Araneae: Tetragnathidae)

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Publication Date

January 2005

Abstract

The cave spider, Meta menardi, is widely distributed in Europe and has been recorded from caves, mines and other dark, subterranean habitats. This study investigated a popu- lation in a disused mine adit on the edge of Dartmoor, Devon. The abundance of the early instars was monitored over two and a half years and a life history postulated from the results. Egg cocoons are produced in early summer and spider- lings leave these in the following spring, taking up residence on the chamber ceiling. In the late spring they leave the chamber and live outside, moving back into subterranean habitats in the late summer. Observations suggest that spiderlings disperse by ballooning after leaving their underground chambers.

Keywords

History, Dispersal, Cave Spider, Meta Menardi, Latreille, 1804, Araneae, Tetragnathidae

Document Type

Article

Notes

Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society, Vol. 13, no. 6 (2005).

Identifier

SFS0073109_00001

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