Characterization of the thermal micro-environment of Paraphysa parvula Pocock 1903 (Araneae: Theraphosidae), a spider from the Chilean Andes

Abstract

We characterize, in both the laboratory and the field, the preferential thermal microenvironments of Paraphysa parvula (Pocock 1903) (Araneae: Theraphosidae), a mygalomorph spider that successfully inhabits the high elevation environments of the Chilean Andes. We studied 116 spiders. Their average body temperature in the field was 31.02 ± 2.74°C, similar to the laboratory preferred temperature of 31.7 ± 2.31°C, and higher than the ideal temperature of reproductive females, 29.34 ± 2.81°C. In non-reproductive spiders, we found significant associations between body temperature and the temperatures of the air, substrate and rocks; however, the strongest association was between body and rock temperatures. Similar results were obtained in reproductive females, but there the best predictor of the body temperature was air temperature in the shelter. In both cases, the air temperature remained below body temperature and well below the temperature of the rocks and stones. Both situations show t