Javier Couper (Predomalpha), New Zealand
Info
Desis marina (Hector, 1878)
The intertidal spider Desis marina is a species of spider found in New Zealand, New Caledonia and the Chatham Islands. It was first described by James Hector in 1878.
Desis Marina is 8 to 10 mm long, has a brown body and a light gray abdomen. The intertidal spider is characterized by its complex, branched tracheal system and its ability to adapt to the marine environment. It occurs in intertidal zones on rocky coasts, where it builds silken retreats in shells, tubeworm burrows and seaweed holders, which it closes after entering. Among other things, these animals live in hollows under the holding bases of the bull kelp Durvillaea antarctica. In these environments, the spiders and their silk roosts are regularly submerged in seawater.
In their silk resorts, Desia marine can remain submerged for up to 19 days. To make it easier to survive underwater for so long, it has a lower breathing rate than other spiders of similar size, allowing it to survive on the small amount of air in its retreat
Desia marina is nocturnal. It is known to emerge at low tide and feed on amphipods, sea isopods and other small invertebrates.
Desis marina can reproduce all year round. The eggs are laid in the female's refuge from September to January; the recruitment period is between March and April. All spiders hatched by May. Egg development takes about two months and the young remain in the female's refuge for another two months (the time required for the first two instars to develop). It takes about 4 to 5 months for the spiderlings to reach maturity. Females can potentially live up to two years and are therefore capable of reproducing a second clutch of eggs.
The intertidal spider Desis marina is a species of spider found in New Zealand, New Caledonia and the Chatham Islands. It was first described by James Hector in 1878.
Desis Marina is 8 to 10 mm long, has a brown body and a light gray abdomen. The intertidal spider is characterized by its complex, branched tracheal system and its ability to adapt to the marine environment. It occurs in intertidal zones on rocky coasts, where it builds silken retreats in shells, tubeworm burrows and seaweed holders, which it closes after entering. Among other things, these animals live in hollows under the holding bases of the bull kelp Durvillaea antarctica. In these environments, the spiders and their silk roosts are regularly submerged in seawater.
In their silk resorts, Desia marine can remain submerged for up to 19 days. To make it easier to survive underwater for so long, it has a lower breathing rate than other spiders of similar size, allowing it to survive on the small amount of air in its retreat
Desia marina is nocturnal. It is known to emerge at low tide and feed on amphipods, sea isopods and other small invertebrates.
Desis marina can reproduce all year round. The eggs are laid in the female's refuge from September to January; the recruitment period is between March and April. All spiders hatched by May. Egg development takes about two months and the young remain in the female's refuge for another two months (the time required for the first two instars to develop). It takes about 4 to 5 months for the spiderlings to reach maturity. Females can potentially live up to two years and are therefore capable of reproducing a second clutch of eggs.
