Lexi Webster
Trapdoor spiders are a group of species that inhabit tropical and subtropical regions in Japan, North America, and the southwestern United States. In Australia, the most common types include the Brown Trapdoor Spider or Sydney Trapdoor Spider, and the Adelaide Trapdoor Spider. There are over 20,000 species of spiders in Australia, with 12,000 named spiders known to Western science. In Western Australia, two new species of trapdoor spiders have been discovered, bringing the total number of named trapdoor spiders in the region to over 200.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Australia, specifically the state's south-west, Wheatbelt, and the Pemberton region |
| Number of Species | 2 new species discovered, bringing the total to over 200 |
| Names of Species | Proshermacha telaporta, Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi, Idiosoma schoknechtorum |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical regions, dry regions, rainforests |
| Prey | Crickets, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, small insects |
| Predators | Birds, bandicoots, centipedes, scorpions, parasitic wasps and flies |
| Behavior | Timid, nocturnal, live underground and come out to eat, males search for females during mating season |
| Lifespan | 5 to 20 years, with males living shorter lives than females |
| Venom | Bites are rare and may cause minor pain and local swelling, but are not toxic to humans or pets |
| Physical Appearance | Brown or spotted, short blunt spinnerets, male has a small double spur on the first leg, 4 pairs of legs, 2 compact rows of eyes, large fangs |
| Burrows | Constructed with silk, soil, dry leaf litter, or other materials, can be camouflaged, about 30-40cm deep |
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What You'll Learn
- Trapdoor spiders in Western Australia include the Giaus Vaillosus and the Idiosoma schoknechtorum species
- The Proshermacha telaporta species is found north of Perth, while the Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi species is found in the Pemberton region
- Trapdoor spiders are generally timid and harmless, but they may bite if startled
- Their bites are not toxic to humans and may be less painful than bee stings
- Trapdoor spiders are under threat from habitat destruction and degradation
Trapdoor spiders in Western Australia include the Giaus Vaillosus and the Idiosoma schoknechtorum species
Trapdoor spiders are common in Western Australia, with 15 of the 17 West Australian species found only in the state's south-west region. One species is found in the Wheatbelt. These spiders are considered valuable as they indicate the health of their habitat. Unfortunately, their survival is under threat due to environmental clearings and human activities that fragment their landscape.
One such trapdoor spider species unique to Western Australia is the Giaus Vaillosus, also known as Number 16. Number 16 was a wild female Giaus Vaillosus who lived in North Bungulla Reserve near Tammin, Western Australia. She became famous for being the longest-lived spider on record, surviving for an estimated 43 years before dying in 2016 from a parasitic wasp sting.
Another unique species in Western Australia is the Idiosoma schoknechtorum, commonly known as the armoured trapdoor spider or the Mortlock River Shield-Backed Trapdoor Spider. This species is distinguished by its armoured shields or "body armour," which it uses to defend against natural predators. This feature sets them apart from other trapdoor spiders and makes them extremely rare, leading to their addition to the threatened species list.
Trapdoor spiders are fascinating creatures, and these two species, Giaus Vaillosus and Idiosoma schoknechtorum, highlight the diversity and uniqueness of trapdoor spiders in Western Australia.
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The Proshermacha telaporta species is found north of Perth, while the Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi species is found in the Pemberton region
Trapdoor spiders are members of the Mygalomorphae infraorder, which includes several spider families such as Idiopidae, Actinopodidae, and Cyrtaucheniidae. They are commonly found in Australia, with around 2,700 known species out of an estimated 10,000. They are known for their unique survival strategy of burrowing and sealing themselves in, sometimes using doors made of dry leaf litter.
In Western Australia, two new species of the open-holed trapdoor spider genus Proshermacha have been discovered: Proshermacha telaporta and Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi. These species were described in detail by scientists in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy. The Proshermacha telaporta species is found north of Perth, specifically in the Geraldton Sandplains and Swan Coastal Plain bioregions. On the other hand, the Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi species is found in the Pemberton region, where it was discovered by a man walking with his wife.
Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi is a rarely observed species, with only one recorded encounter by researchers. The individual observed was a male, likely searching for females during the mating season. The species was studied by examining preserved bodies collected in traps during the 1970s and 1980s and stored at the Western Australia Museum. Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi is one of the few trapdoor spiders with armoured shields or "body armour" for protection against predators.
The Proshermacha telaporta species, on the other hand, is found in the bioregions mentioned earlier, where they construct their burrows. Trapdoor spiders in general prey on insects such as crickets, moths, beetles, and grasshoppers, capturing them near the entrance of their burrows. Their predators include birds, bandicoots, centipedes, scorpions, and certain types of flies and wasps.
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Trapdoor spiders are generally timid and harmless, but they may bite if startled
Trapdoor spiders are often mistaken for Funnel-web spiders, but they are generally harmless. They feed on small insects such as crickets, moths, beetles, and grasshoppers, and are more active at night. While they are not toxic to humans or pets, they may bite if startled, which can cause minor pain and local swelling due to their fairly large fangs. However, there are no records of trapdoor spiders biting humans, and their bites are likely to be less painful than bee stings.
Trapdoor spiders play an important role in controlling the population of beetles, cockroaches, crickets, and other harmful spider species. Therefore, they should not be uncontrollably exterminated. Instead, they can be beneficial to humans and pets.
In Western Australia, two new species of trapdoor spiders have been discovered, bringing the total number of named trapdoor spiders in the state to over 200. One species, Proshermacha telaporta, occurs north of Perth, while the other, Proshermacha robertblosfeldsi, is found in the Pemberton region. Additionally, rare armoured trapdoor spiders native to Western Australia have been added to the threatened species list due to habitat destruction. These spiders possess armoured shields or "body armour" for defence against natural predators, making them distinct from other trapdoor spiders.
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Their bites are not toxic to humans and may be less painful than bee stings
Trapdoor spiders are generally harmless to humans. While they do possess venom to subdue their prey, which includes crickets, moths, beetles and grasshoppers, they are not toxic to humans. In fact, according to Dr Harvey, trapdoor spiders have never been recorded biting humans, and even if they do, the bite is likely to be less painful than a bee sting.
Trapdoor spiders are timid and easily frightened. On very rare occasions, if startled, they may bite. Their bites can cause minor pain and local swelling, but they are still not considered dangerous to humans.
Trapdoor spiders are native to Western Australia and are found in the state's south-west. They are under threat from habitat destruction and degradation, with 15 of the 17 Western Australian species found only in a small area in the state's south-west. Their survival strategy is to "stay put, burrow down and see out the good times and the bad times and persist in what are often quite difficult environments".
Trapdoor spiders are important indicators of the health of their habitat. They are also beneficial to humans as they help keep the numbers of beetles, cockroaches, crickets and other harmful spider species under control. Therefore, while trapdoor spiders may be feared due to their appearance, they are not considered pests and should not be uncontrollably exterminated.
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Trapdoor spiders are under threat from habitat destruction and degradation
Trapdoor spiders, a common name for several large, hairy, and harmless spiders, are facing significant threats to their survival due to habitat destruction and degradation. These spiders are known for their unique method of constructing underground burrows with camouflaged trapdoors made of soil, vegetation, and silk. While they are found in various parts of the world, including Japan, Africa, South America, and North America, they are particularly vulnerable in certain regions, such as Western Australia.
In Western Australia, rare armoured trapdoor spiders (Idiosoma schoknechtorum) have been added to the threatened species list. These spiders are distinct from other trapdoor spiders due to their armoured shields or "body armour," which they use to defend against natural predators. Dr. Michael Rix, a lead scientist studying these invertebrates, noted that these spiders have small natural ranges, making them highly susceptible to human impacts on their environment. Environmental clearings, landscape fragmentation, and human activities are all contributing to the destruction of their habitat.
Dry land salinity, climate change, feral predators, and mining are also identified as factors influencing the habitats of trapdoor spiders. The trapdoor method of survival involves staying put and burrowing down during challenging times, but this strategy is compromised when landscapes are destroyed. The loss of their habitat not only threatens the survival of trapdoor spiders but also indicates the broader decline of the region's mammal, bird, and invertebrate fauna.
Trapdoor spiders are often nocturnal and spend most of their lives underground. They are skilled at detecting prey through vibrations and capture them by jumping out of their burrows. While they have effective survival strategies, the degradation and loss of their habitat pose significant threats to their continued existence. Conservation efforts are crucial to protecting these spiders and preserving the ecological balance of the affected regions.
Overall, the trapdoor spiders in Western Australia are facing an uncertain future due to the combined impacts of habitat destruction and degradation. Their addition to the threatened species list highlights the urgency of addressing these issues and implementing measures to safeguard their fragile ecosystems. By understanding the specific challenges faced by these spiders, scientists and conservationists can work towards mitigating these threats and ensuring the long-term survival of these unique arachnids.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are trapdoor spiders in Western Australia. Two new species of trapdoor spiders were discovered in Western Australia in 2018, bringing the total number of trapdoor spiders in Western Australia to over 200.
Trapdoor spiders are a group of species that inhabit tropical and subtropical regions in Japan, North America, and southwestern United States. In Australia, the most common types include the Brown Trapdoor Spider or Sydney Trapdoor Spider, and the Adelaide Trapdoor Spider. They are generally harmless to humans and pets.
Trapdoor spiders feed on small insects like crickets, moths, beetles, and grasshoppers. They capture their prey when it gets close enough to their burrow.
Male trapdoor spiders become mature after about five or six years and then leave their burrows in search of females during the mating season. Mating takes place inside the female's burrow, after which she lays her eggs and protects them inside the burrow.
