Bono's Joshua Tree trapdoor spider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bono's Joshua Tree trapdoor spider |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Female specimen | |
| Scientific classification |
The Bono's Joshua Tree trapdoor spider, also known as Aptostichus bonoi, is a special type of spider. It belongs to a family called Euctenizidae. These spiders are active at night. They catch their food by jumping out of their hidden burrows and using venom. This spider was discovered in Joshua Tree National Park in California. Professor Jason Bond described it in 2012. Before this, only seven other Aptostichus spiders were known, including the Angelina Jolie trapdoor spider.
Why It's Called Bono's Spider
This spider got its name from Bono, the singer of the famous Irish rock band U2. It was named in honor of the band's 1987 album, The Joshua Tree. This album is well-known and shares its name with the national park where the spider was found.
What Does It Look Like?
Male Bono's Joshua Tree trapdoor spiders have special features that make them different from other Aptostichus species. For example, they have very small scopula pads. These pads are usually sticky hairs that help spiders climb. They also have short, clear spines on the underside of their first pair of legs (called tarsus I).
This spider is very similar to another species, A. fisheri. However, A. bonoi has many more spines on the side of its first leg (tibia I).
A. bonoi is one of only two Aptostichus species that live in the same area. These are called sympatric species. The other one is A. serrano. You can tell them apart because A. serrano does not have the spines on its first leg that A. bonoi does.
Scientists described Aptostichus bonoi using only two spiders. One male spider was the main example, called the holotype. It was likely caught in a special trap. The other was a female spider, called the paratype. She was probably found alive in her burrow.
These spiders have only been found in one small area. This area is called Covington Flat, inside Joshua Tree National Park. This place is known as the type locality for the species. Scientists believe that male spiders travel to find females from late fall to early winter.
Is It Endangered?
The Bono's Joshua Tree trapdoor spider lives in a very small area. Also, scientists have not found many of them. Because of this, it is likely that this spider is endangered. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever. According to Professor Bond, protecting this spider is very important.
See also
In Spanish: Aptostichus bonoi para niños
