The life span of the species is also unknown, although experts in the field have estimated that it may take three years for the species to reach maturity. Ballooning, a process by which the spiders use a sheet of silk played out into the wind to carry them into the air, has been suggested as a possible means of long-range dispersal, but this species's high sensitivity to desiccation would likely preclude this dispersal method. The means of dispersal of the spiderlings from the parental moss mat is not known. The female remains with the egg sac and, if disturbed, will carry the egg sac with her fangs. The egg sac, thin-walled and nearly transparent, may contain seven to nine eggs, laid in June. There is no record of prey having been found in the webs of the spruce-fir moss spider, and so its food sources are unknown. The most reliable field identification characteristics for the spruce-fir moss spider are chelicerae that project forward well beyond the anterior edge of the carapace, a pair of very long posterior spinnerets, and the presence of a second pair of book lungs, which appear as light patches posterior to the genital furrow. The carapace is generally yellowish brown. Coloration of the spruce-fir moss spider ranges from light brown to a darker reddish brown, and there are no markings on the abdomen. The genus Microhexura is one of the smallest of the mygalomorph spiders, with adults measuring only 0.10-0.15 in (0.25-0.38 cm). Diplurids belong in the primitive sub-order Mygalomorphae, which are often popularly referred to as "tarantulas." idahoana, the other species in the genus, occurs only in the Pacific Northwest. montivaga is one of only two species belonging to the genus Microhexura, the northernmost representative of the family Dipluridae. Only a few specimens were taken, and little was known about the species until its rediscovery approximately 50 years later. The spruce-fir moss spider, Microhexura montivaga, was originally described in 1925 from collections made two years earlier in the mountains of western North Carolina. Rapid deterioration of the forest habitat. Chelicerae project forward.ĭamp, well-drained moss and liverwort mats growing on thoroughly shaded rocks or boulders in mature, high-elevation Fraser fir and red spruce forests.Įgg sack may contain seven to nine eggs. Has yellowish brown carpace, long spinnerets. Light brown to darker reddish brown mygalomorph spider. Spruce-fir Moss Spider Microhexura montivaga Status
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