Three Tasmanian spiders of the genus Celaenia Thorell (Arancida) with notes on their biology

Abstract

Specimens of the Bird-dung Spider, Celaenia excavata(L. Koch) from Tasmania have been identified by DrH. W. Levi as synonymous with Celaenia kinbergiThorell. An amplified description of the dwarf male ofthis spider is given with some observations on thebiology of the species. Thirteen egg-sacs made by onefemale contained a total of 1630 eggs. Of these 724gave rise to males, 718 to females and 188 failed todevelop. The sex ratio is therefore almost 1:1. Fromhatching of the egg males pass through three instars,females through seven, before becoming adult. In thecase of specimens hatched in October males reachmaturity in about 134 days and females in 395 days.Under laboratory conditions males after reachingmaturity, may live from 255 to 615 days, females forabout 425 days.Celaenia distincta (0. Pick-Cambr.) from New SouthWales and Celaenia atkinsoni (0. Pick-Cambr.) fromNew Zealand are recorded from Tasmania for the firsttime. The hitherto unknown male of C. distincta isdescribed and notes on the biology of the two speciesgiven.