Sedgwick Reserve

01 Jul, 09 AM - 30 Jun, 10 AM

Dr. James Pitts (Utah State University) and I are investigating the taxonomy of the tarantulas (Araneae: Mygalomorpha: Theraphosidae: Aphonopelma) of Central California. This is a long-term project, with the intial stage is emphasizing the collection and study of living specimens. The Santa Barbara area is of great interest, due to its geophysical and biological diversity as well as the general location of the one of the few described species (the only known specimen of which is now lost). My visit would entail an overnight stay. Impact upon the reserve would be minimal: I will be searching oak woodlands and chaparral fringes for tarantula burrows. Specimens are then extracted by pouring water down the burrow. No digging or alteration of the landscape is involved. I estimate that a maximum 10-15 specimens would be taken from the oak woodlands, and perhaps that many in the chaparral (in practice, the number from a site usually turns out to be 6-10). Tarantula taxonomy is such that it is impossible to put a name to specimens from Central California. Four species have been formally described; the only specimen of one has been lost, two are known only from a single specimen, and the fourth is based upon a handfull of specimens. Tarantulas are the largest terrestrial invertebrates in the state and are of great interest from the standpoints of ecology (large predators whose numbers are greatly underestimated) and conservation biology. Putting their taxonomy in order will open the doors to a host of studies.

Visit #1451 @Sedgwick Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 1206 | Research

A taxonomic study of the tarantulas of Central California

research_scientist - American Entomological Institute

Reservation Members(s)

David Wahl Jul 1, 2002 - Jun 30, 2003 (365 days)

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