Page 13 - ARUBA TODAY

A13
Wednesday 8 January 2020

First Survey of Arachnids (such as spiders and scorpions) on ABC Islands in over 100 years:

25 new records and 20 species new to science

KRALENDIJK, BONAIRE — A 2004-
2005 study led by a researcher
from the California Academy of
Science worked to catalog arach-
nid species (such as spiders and
scorpions) on Aruba, Bonaire and
Curacao. This is the first study of its
kind in over 100 years. The recent-
ly published results in the Carib-
bean Journal of Science showed
25 new species, which have not
been previously described for the
islands, and 20 new species to
science. Understanding the local
arachnid population is important
as they represent a vital part of the
ecosystem, crucial for maintain-
ing balance by controlling insect
populations.

Arachnids play an important role
within the ecosystems of the ABC
Islands. Although often seen as
pests, these species are crucial
in controlling insect populations.
Knowing how important these
creatures are, it’s surprising to learn
that there has only ever been one
scientific survey documenting (tailless whip scorpion), 2 species of being collected over a longer pe- start to updating the arachnid da-
these species on the ABC islands, pseudoscropions and 76 species of riod of time and from more varied tabase, however, further research
and it was written in 1887 (Van Has- spiders. Furthermore, of these spe- locations. In general, it is expected is required to fully describe the
selt, 1887). Since then, although cies, 25 were previously unknown that Curaçao would have a more arachnids found on each of the
there have been papers written to be present on these islands and diverse ecosystem as the island islands. It is exciting to think what
on specific species, there has not 20 species were new to science. has more varied vegetation types new species might be found, or
been any surveys or inventories to Unlike Bonaire and Curaçao which and plant species (De Freitas et al., what connections to other islands
fully describe the arachnid popula- are separated from mainland 2005) along with greater elevation- might be made given each is-
tion. South American by a deep oce- al differences, higher annual rain- land’s rich history.
anic trench, Aruba is connected fall, and less habitat degradation Report your sightings:
The Study to the South American Continent. than Bonaire. Have you observed Arachnids
In order to provide an update to In fact, plant and animal species (such as spiders and scorpions)?
this 1887 survey, a research group on the island may be closely linked Slave Trade Connection Please report your sighting on the
collected arachnids over the to their South American counter- CARMABI biological research sta- website DutchCaribbean.Obser-
course of 3 months (November parts as it is believed Aruba was tion Curaçao managed to cap- vation.org
2004 - January 2005) from Bonaire connected to the mainland dur- ture a gnaphosid Or download the free apps
and Curaçao. Arachnids on Aruba ing the last glacial sea-level drop Australoechemus celer spider, a This free website and free apps can
were collected over 2 days in Oc- 19.9 thousand years ago (Stienstra, species previously known to only be used not only by biologists but
tober 2004. Specimens were col- 1991). Although it’s difficult to say inhabit Cape Verde islands. The by all citizens to report any animals
lected from a variety of different since specimens were only collect- origin of this species is unclear. It and plants and is available in more
areas including both urban and ed for 2 days, this study didn’t find could be that this spider represents than 40 languages. It is now also
natural areas. The goal of the study much overlap with the species of a native population which may being translated to Papiaments.
was to collect specimens from dif- Curaçao and Bonaire. In addition, have been introduced long ago The species reports by local com-
ferent habitats to best capture a researchers identified two species when slaves were kept on Cape munities are very valuable for the
diverse representation of the spe- which had not been previously de- Verde before being shipped to Cu- nature conservation organization
cies present on the islands (Crews scribed. It’s possible, given more raçao. Or the other way around: to learn and protect the species
et al., 2019). time to collect samples, additional introduced to the Cape Verdes on our islands. For more informa-
specimens would have been doc- islands from Curaçao/South Ameri- tion contact research@dcnana-
The Results umented increasing the overlap ca (Brokken, 2015). ture.orgq
In the end, over 750 specimens with the other two islands.
were collected and identified, rep- On all three islands, more speci- Arachnids play a very important For more information on Arachnids:
resenting members from arachnid mens were collected within natural role in the environment, and the Contact Sarah Crews at screws@
orders: Scorpiones, Amblypygi, areas than urban areas. Curaçao first step to ensuring their future is calacademy.org
Pseudoscorpiones, and Araneae. had the greatest number of spe- to properly understand what spe- Twitter: @sarahnopidae
From this, there were 1 species of cies documented, which could cies are present on each island. Instagram: @cas_arachnerds
scorpion, 1 species of amblypygid have been a result of specimens This study represents an important website: sarahnopidae.com