DSC_6134 Piano Flat spider (Pianoa isolata) is a 'living fossil' - an ancient representative of the first spiders that 'made do' without webs, and lived a free-living, hunting existance. Large proclaws on the end of the first and second pair of legs are used to seize prey which is then bitten repeatedly. Once believed to be found only around Piano Flat, it has now been found throughout Waikaia Forest as well as other locations in northern Southland and West Otago. Piano Flat, Waikaia Forest *
DSC_9144 Intertidal spider (Desis marina) female emerging from her underwater, web-tunnel. This endemic spider occurs on rocky coasts all around NZ and the Chatham Islands. It has a most unusual habitat, which extends underwater from high-tide level down to below normal low tide. Hiding underwater it finds sufficient air pockets trapped amongst the rocks and seaweeds, to survive submerged in its retreat for up to 19 days at a time, even foraging underwater. Because they have a lower respiration rate than other spiders, they can survive very low oxygen concentrations. Aquarium Point, Otago Harbour *
DSC_7252 Intertidal spider (Desis marina) submerged underwater amongst encrusting sponges. This endemic spider occurs on rocky coasts all around NZ and the Chatham Islands. It has a most unusual habitat, which extends underwater from high-tide level down to below normal low tide. Underwater it finds sufficient air pockets trapped amongst the rocks and seaweeds, which are only exposed at exceptionally low tides. The spiders survive in their submerged retreats for up to 19 days at a time, even foraging underwater. Because they have a lower respiration rate than other spiders, they can survive very low oxygen concentrations. Aquarium Point, Otago Harbour *
