Aptostichus barackobamai

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Barack Obama trapdoor spider
Aptostichus barackobamai holotype.jpg
Male holotype from Mendocino County
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Euctenizidae
Genus: Aptostichus
Species:
A. barackobamai
Binomial name
Aptostichus barackobamai
Bond, 2012

Aptostichus barackobamai (also known as the Barack Obama trapdoor spider) is a large species of trapdoor spider in the family Euctenizidae named after the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. The species was first reported by Jason Bond of Auburn University in December 2012 as one of 33 new species of the genus Aptostichus . The species is endemic throughout northern California, forming burrows out of silk, dirt, and sand, from which it attacks prey. This spider is identified by its dark red to red-brown coloration with a stripped or chevron patterned abdomen. Breeding occurs during the winter and females tend to be larger than their male counterparts. A. barackobamai is part of the larger Aptostichus icenoglei species complex, and is a close relative to Aptostichus icenoglei and Aptostichus isabella .

Taxonomy

Aptostichus barackobamai is a species of trapdoor spider within the Euctenizidae family. [1] The species was first described by Jason Bond, director of the Auburn University Museum of Natural History, in December 2012. The species' epithet, "barackobamai", is in honor of former United States president Barack Obama. A. barackobamai was one of 33 new species of the genus Aptostichus described in Bond's paper, many of which are named after famous individuals. [2] [3] Aptostichus barackobamai is one of many species named after Barack Obama, and is also known as the Barack Obama trapdoor spider. [2] [3] [4]

Species group and evolution

Aptostichus barackobamai, Aptostichus icenoglei, and Aptostichus isabella are all members of the Aptostichus icenoglei species complex. A barackobamai was likely the first member of this species group to diverge following the uplift of the Transverse Ranges in California approximately 5 million years ago, isolating the ancestral species and prevented any further gene flow. Despite this, all three species demonstrate niche conservatism between each other, particularly in their habitat preferences. The following cladogram shows the phylogenetic position of A. barackobamai among the members of the Aptostichus icenoglei species complex based upon ancestral reconstruction, along with an assessment of 403 loci: [5] [6]

Male holotype with leg specifications Aptostichus barackobamai.jpg
Male holotype with leg specifications

Description

Aptostichus barackobamai is a species of large, sexually dimorphic spiders. Males' legs, carapaces, and chelicerae are a dark red color. Their abdomen is a red-brown with mottled stripes running dorsally. The cephalothorax's carapace is 5.94 centimetres (2.34 in) long and 5.06 centimetres (1.99 in) wide. Their cephalothorax is covered in white setae, has short black bristles along the outside edges, and the topside of the cephalothorax is smooth. The foveal groove is narrow, deep, and slightly curved forward. Their eyes are slightly raised relative to the head. The posterior sternal sigilla are moderately sized, non-contiguous, and positioned close to the margin. The anterior sigilla are smaller, oval, and also close to the margins. The chelicerae are comprised of a row of six denticles, and the palpal endites have one cuspule along its edge. The rastellum (a rake-like burrowing part of the jaw) is made up of 6 spines. The abdomen is covered in thick and fine black setae. The legs are covered heavily in scopulae. The pedipalp is slender and lacking in spines. The palpal bulb is broad at its base, spineless, and tapers to a sharp point. [2]

Females differ from the males in that their carapace, legs, and chelicerae tend to be a red-brown color and their abdomen has a mottled chevron pattern. Females tend to be larger, their cephalothorax's carapace is 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long and 6.88 centimetres (2.71 in) wide. Their cephalothorax is covered with both black and white intermingled setae but the outside edges lack setae. Their chelicerae are comprised of eight teeth and the palpal endites have twelve cuspules. The rastellium has 7 short spines all in a row that extend out and upwards. The female's anterior legs are more slender than their posterior pair. Their spermathecal bulbs form a long, curved stalk. [2]

Aptostichus barackobamai can be differentiated from other Aptostichus species by the male's spination pattern, which is offset proximally. Additionally, the male metatarsal mating apophysis is a triangular shape. Females have a spermathecal bulb located along the medial auxiliary segment, unlike other members of the genus. Aptostichus isabella is the closest in appearance to A. barackobamai but have a rectangular mating apophysis instead. [2]

Behavior

A. barackobamai burrows underground for shelter, making waterproof 'trapdoor' structures out of soil, sand, and webbing. From these burrows, the spider will strike at prey, a common behavior among trapdoor spiders. [6] [3] [4] Breeding season occurs during the winter months. Spiders may go longer periods of time without feeding to better camouflage themselves. [7]

Estimated range of Aptostichus barackobamai, Cooler colors indicate higher probability of occurrence while warmer colors represent a lower probability. Aptostichus barackobamai estimated range.png
Estimated range of Aptostichus barackobamai, Cooler colors indicate higher probability of occurrence while warmer colors represent a lower probability.

Distribution

Aptostichus barackobamai is a species endemic to California, [8] and has been observed at several locations in the northern part of the state. Originally, the species was believed to be isolated to the locality of Hopland, California, due to its apparent rarity, but specimen have since been found throughout north-central California. Particular locations where populations are known to exist are Mendocino, Napa, Shasta, Sutter, and Tehama counties. Geographically, these include the Mayacamas Mountains, the Sutter Buttes, parts of the California Floristic Province, and the northernmost ridges of the Central Valley. While no specimen have been found yet to corroborate a wider distribution, predictions by Jason Bond estimate that the species likely inhabits the majority of the Central Valley and its eastern mountain ranges. [2]

A. barackobamai's habitat consists of mixed redwood and coniferous forests. [2] Their microhabitat is mainly shady, north-facing slopes. [6]

Conservation status

Due to the wide range and abundance of A. barackobamai's population, the species is not considered to be threatened, overall. Jason Bond, during his initial description of the species, postulated that some isolated populations (such as those local to the Sutter Buttes) may be threatened. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Aptostichus stephencolberti</i> Species of arachnid

Aptostichus stephencolberti is a species of spider in the family Euctenizidae, named after the American satirist Stephen Colbert. The spider was discovered on the California coastline in 2007.

<i>Aptostichus</i> Genus of spiders

Aptostichus is a genus of North American mygalomorph spiders in the family Euctenizidae, and was first described by Eugène Simon in 1891. They are found predominantly in southern California, United States.

<i>Aptostichus angelinajolieae</i> Species of spider

Aptostichus angelinajolieae, the Angelina Jolie trapdoor spider, is a species of Euctenizidae, nocturnal arthropods who seize their prey after leaping out of their burrows and inject it with venom. It was described by the Auburn University professor Jason Bond in 2008, who named it after the American actress Angelina Jolie in recognition of her work on the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. It was one of only seven described species of Aptostichus until 2012, when it was joined by Bono's Joshua Tree trapdoor spider and 32 other species.

This glossary describes the terms used in formal descriptions of spiders; where applicable these terms are used in describing other arachnids.

<i>Aptostichus bonoi</i> Species of spider

Aptostichus bonoi, or Bono's Joshua Tree trapdoor spider, is a morphological species of Euctenizidae spiders, nocturnal arthropods who seize their prey after leaping out of their burrows and inject it with venom. The species was found in Joshua Tree National Park, California, and described by the Auburn University professor Jason Bond in 2012. Only seven species of Aptostichus were known prior to 2012, including the Angelina Jolie trapdoor spider.

Stenoterommata quena is a species of mygalomorph spiders of Argentina, named after its type locality: La Quena, Salta Province. Females are recognized by the numerous spines on prolateral patella III. The rastellum is stronger, and the maxillae are shorter, than in other species of its genus. The presence of preening combs in metatarsi I is also unusual.

Stenoterommata palmar is a mygalomorph spider of Argentina, named after its type locality: Parque Nacional El Palmar, Entre Rios. Females differ from other three-clawed Stenoterommata in the spermathecae having one triangular dome with a single receptaculum arising from its base; males are most similar to those of S. tenuistyla, but lack short ventral spines on the metatarsus I, and have a long, curved spine on the apical third of their ventral tibia I. Its burrowing behaviour is similar to that of S. tenuistyla.

Stenoterommata crassistyla is a species of mygalomorph spiders of Argentina, named after its wide embolus (stylus) in males, distinguishing this species from the sympatric S. tenuistyla. Its behaviour is similar to the latter species as well. Females are distinguished from other Stenoterommata having multireceptaculate spermathecae by the presence of inferior tarsal claws on the anterior legs. Males have the palpal tibia with a basal notch at either side of the base, and swollen. The species is distinguished from S. tenuistyla by lacking the short spines on the male metatarsus I, characteristic of said species.

Acanthogonatus huaquen is a mygalomorph spider of Chile, its name referring to its type locality: Huaquén, Chile. Males are recognized from other two-clawed Acanthogonatus by the bulb with a lateral keel delimiting a concave area; females by the spermathecae with an almost conical basal mound and its duct arising from its tip.

Acanthogonatus recinto is a mygalomorph spider of Chile, its name arising from its type locality: Recinto, Nuble, Region VIII, Chile. Females are distinguished from those of A. franki by the spermathecae, having a more rounded and differentiated fundus and its basal portion extended internally, compared to those of A. peniasco with a narrower, longer and less sclerotized ducts; and from other species in the genus by having 1-1-1 P spines on its patella IV. Males differ from those of A.franki in the unique winglike projection at the base of the embolus.

Acanthogonatus peniasco is a mygalomorph spider of Chile, its name arising from its type locality: El Peñasco, Linares, VII Region, Chile. Females differ from those of A. franki and A. recinto in the shorter, wider, and more sclerotized spermathecal ducts, and from those of other species in the genus by having 1-1-1 P spines in the patella IV.

Acanthogonatus nahuelbuta is a mygalomorph spider of Chile, named after its type locality: Piedra del Águila, Parque Nacional Nahuel-Buta, Malleco. Males differ from A. patagallina by having the basal portion of the bulb less rounded and the basal loop of the bulbal duct less sinuous; and from those of A. hualpen by the differently shaped embolus and the palpal tibia with the apical two-thirds tapering gradually and having thickened setae.

Acanthogonatus hualpen is a mygalomorph spider of Chile, named after its type locality: Hualpén, Concepción, Bío Bío Region. Males can be distinguished from those of A. nahuelbuta and A. patagallina by the shaped of the bulb's apex, and by the palpal tibia being wide in the basal two-thirds with thickened setae along the apical one-third of the retrolateral face.

Chilelopsis minima is a species of mygalomorph spiders found in Chile. It formerly belonged in the genus Flamencopsis. The specific name was given because it is the smallest member of the tribe Diplothelopsini.

Lycinus caldera is a mygalomorph spider of Chile, named after its type locality: Caldera, Copiapó, Region III. Males are distinguished from L. gajardoi by the larger cymbium, the thinner and more numerous modified cymbial setae and the shorter embolus, and from those of all other species in the tribe by having cymbial setae directed backwards. Females are distinguished from other Chilean species of Lycinus by the spermathecae with two or three receptacula on each side.

Chilelopsis serena is a species of mygalomorph spiders of Chile, named after its type locality: La Serena, Elqui, Region IV. Males differ from those both C. calderoni and C. puertoviejo in the absence of a patch of setae on the apical tibia I, and also in the palpal tibia having dorsal spines and the bulbal duct being abruptly narrowed at the apex. Females differ from the two other species by their divided spermathecae.

Chilelopsis calderoni is a species of mygalomorph spiders of Chile, named after Dr Raúl Calderón. Males differ from C. puertoviejo in the more sinuous distal portion of the bulbal duct; females differ in the spermathecae with a distinct fundus and a narrowed duct. Males differ from C. serena by the presence of a dense patch of setae on the anterior tibiae, females in the undivided spermathecae.

Lycinus tofo is a mygalomorph spider of Chile, named after its type locality: El Tofo, Coquimbo Region. Males are distinguished by the palpal bulb, more abruptly tapered than in other species of the genus; females by the long, slender, spiraled spermathecal receptacula.

Chaco tucumana is a species of mygalomorph spiders of Argentina, named after its type locality: Tucumán. This species differs from C. obscura in the shorter male embolus and the shorter female spermathecal ducts. From other species of the genus it differs in its dark uniform color, the flexible anterior female tarsi, the denser scopulae on the posterior tarsi, and the female spermathecae without a basal protuberance. As in C. obscura, smaller specimens are much lighter in color, and it has darker spots that are evident on the sides of its cephalic region, the apex of femora, base of the patellae and lateral tibiae and dorsal abdomen. Larger specimens are much darker, almost black, with no visible pattern.

<i>Eucteniza</i> Genus of spiders

Eucteniza is a genus of trapdoor spiders in the family Euctenizidae containing at least 14 species occurring in Mexico and the southern United States. Species are distinguished by a softened rear portion of the carapace, and males possess large spines on the first two pairs of walking legs that are used to hold females during mating. Like other trapdoor spiders they create burrows with a hinged lid, from which they await passing insects and other arthropods to prey upon. Many species are known from only one or two localities, or from only male specimens. More species are expected to be discovered. Eucteniza is closely related to spiders of the genera Entychides and Neoapachella.

References

  1. ↑ taxonomy. "Taxonomy browser (Aptostichus barackobamai)". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bond J (2012). "Phylogenetic treatment and taxonomic revision of the trapdoor spider genus Aptostichus Simon (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Euctenizidae)". ZooKeys (252): 1–209. Bibcode:2012ZooK..252....1B. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.252.3588 . PMC   3560839 . PMID   23378811. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
  3. 1 2 3 Live Science Staff (2012-12-26). "Trapdoor Spider Named for Obama". livescience.com. Archived from the original on 2023-12-16. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  4. 1 2 Itkowitz, Colby (2021-12-06). "A parasite named Obama". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  5. ↑ Hamilton, Chris A.; Lemmon, Alan R.; Lemmon, Emily Moriarty; Bond, Jason E. (2016-10-13). "Expanding anchored hybrid enrichment to resolve both deep and shallow relationships within the spider tree of life". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 16 (1): 212. Bibcode:2016BMCEE..16..212H. doi: 10.1186/s12862-016-0769-y . PMC   5062932 . PMID   27733110.
  6. 1 2 3 Newton, Lacie G.; Starrett, James; Jochim, Emma E.; Bond, Jason E. (2023). "Phylogeography and cohesion species delimitation of California endemic trapdoor spiders within the Aptostichus icenoglei sibling species complex (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Euctenizidae)". Ecology and Evolution. 13 (4): e10025. Bibcode:2023EcoEv..1310025N. doi:10.1002/ece3.10025. PMC   10133383 . PMID   37122769.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Shea (2012-12-27). "New Species of Spider Dwells Near Barstow". Desert Dispatch. p. 8. Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  8. ↑ "New spider species named for Angelina Jolie, Bono". CBS News. 2013-01-19. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
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