Then consider the apparent strict association with a very specific elevation and flora. It is probably fair to assume they don't disperse much like many of their close relatives, and the diminutive size lends itself to this as well, which contributes readily to the rapid decline and complete extirpation from much of their known range. Happens in the tropics all the time- cool-loving, high elevation species that are bounded by the warm temps at lower elevations and thus are very rare (often things speciate as a result of elevation-based isolation, right? frequently very sensitive ecological communities).īut little tiny mygalomorphs don't get that much attention so we may not ever know. Perhaps the small size and adaptation to higher elevations makes them more subject to rapid dessication or some other type of strict limiting factor is functioning. If it were just moisture loving small prey they could venture all over the place but they are not shown to leave the limited qualifying range described above. There is some other key feature of their natural history we are missing no doubt. They do not occur in areas that are not both cool and moist, only known from high elevations in fact, and they are always found in association with cool growing conifers, like the namesake suggests. It's really disheartening.Ĭlick to expand.I suspect it's more complicated than that. Only solutions are more bans on importing, more careful inspection of foreign products being imported, on and on. When you wipe out major groups of plants you are bound to lose all kinds of other little critters too. We will likely lose all citrus in Florida and all avocados (and the rest of the barky, new world Lauraceae) in the world not very long from now due to exotic pests. ![]() And that number does not include non-monetary damage, such as the loss of wonderful little tokens of diversity such as this spider. There is approximately 5 billion USD in damage done to our forests by exotic boring beetles of a multitude of species every year and the number gets higher. This epoch will be called the homogenene- global trade being what it is, all species are mixed across the globe and eventually many of them will disappear as their niches are taken from them or destroyed. Probably a losing battle, they almost always are. Ait's a nice thought but unfortunately they are under threat from an invasive species which is killing of Fir trees.
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