Resistance to Inundation and Its Utilization by Heptathela kimurai (Araneae: Liphistiidae)

Abstract

The tolerance for flood damage of the liphistiid spider, Heptathela kimurai, was studied. The trap door of the spider has mechanical system in water sealing like the function of one-way valve. The result of experiment indicates that the spider is able to endure the inundation by the movement of drifting, resting and swimming. The spiders of Heptethela kimurai must harness the inundation to spread their distribution. © 1994, Arachnological Society of Japan. All rights reserved.