Metasolpuga
Genus of spider-like animals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Metasolpuga | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| 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) | |
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]
