Metasolpuga | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Solifugae |
Family: | Solpugidae |
Genus: |
Metasolpuga Roewer, 1934 |
Species: | M. picta
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Binomial name | |
Metasolpuga picta (Kraepelin, 1899)
|
Metasolpuga is a genus of solifuge or sun spider. [1] The monotypic genus contains the species Metasolpuga picta which is native to Namibia. [2] It is one of several large, diurnal solifuge species that occur in the arid regions of southern Africa. [3]
Its habitat is interdune valleys of the Namib Desert. They are active when ground surface temperatures are between 40 and 61 °C. In experimental conditions they become lethargic at 20 ± 1 °C, and at 5 to 10 °C they become completely torpid. [3] During mid-winter it is believed to become lethargic in burrows for days or weeks. Egg depositing has been recorded during early spring and late summer. [3] Data suggests that male M. picta are short-lived and die after the mating season due to high energy demands and low food intake. [4]
Metasolpuga | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Solifugae |
Family: | Solpugidae |
Genus: |
Metasolpuga Roewer, 1934 |
Species: | M. picta
|
Binomial name | |
Metasolpuga picta (Kraepelin, 1899)
|
Metasolpuga is a genus of solifuge or sun spider. [1] The monotypic genus contains the species Metasolpuga picta which is native to Namibia. [2] It is one of several large, diurnal solifuge species that occur in the arid regions of southern Africa. [3]
Its habitat is interdune valleys of the Namib Desert. They are active when ground surface temperatures are between 40 and 61 °C. In experimental conditions they become lethargic at 20 ± 1 °C, and at 5 to 10 °C they become completely torpid. [3] During mid-winter it is believed to become lethargic in burrows for days or weeks. Egg depositing has been recorded during early spring and late summer. [3] Data suggests that male M. picta are short-lived and die after the mating season due to high energy demands and low food intake. [4]