The Life Cycle of Eremobates durangonus (Arachnida: Solpugida)

Abstract

Our knowledge of solpugid growth and development is fragmentary. Croneberg (1887), Birula (1893-1894), Heymons (1904), Hingston (1925), Lawrence (1947 and 1949), Junqua (1962), and Muma (1966a) have observed egg deposition, incubation, and hatching and have also studied late embryos and newly hatched solpugids. Only Hingston (1925), CloudsleyThompson (1961), and Junqua (1962) have reported on the early instars. Junqua (1958) stated that under optimum conditions Othoes sp. moulted once a month for 10 moults, but under natural conditions it would probably not moult more than three or four times a year to live about three years. Cloudsley-Thompson (1961), on the basis of collected specimens of Galeodes arabs Koch (Galeodes granti Pocock according to Cloudesley-Thompson, 1962) claimed that solpugids lived only about a year. Lawrence (1963) stated that worn, blunt cheliceral teeth of old female solpugids (Solpuga monteiroi Pocock, figured) suggested that they had lived for several years. Muma (1963), on the basis of systematically collected specimens, suggested that North American solpugids have a one-year life cycle. The exact life cycle and growth stages are not known for any species. The present report is the result of a three-year study (1963-1965) of Eremobates durangonous Roewer from the San Simone Valley of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. I gratefully acknowledge the assistance and encouragement of Mr. Vincent A. Roth, Director of the American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station, Portal, Arizona, the technical assistance of Mrs. Thelma G. Kanavel, my laboratory technician during most of the project, and the photography of Mr. Allen G. Selhime, ARS, Ent. Res. Div., Orlando, Florida. METHODS