Seasonal activity patterns and habitats in Solifugae (Arachriida) in the southern Karoo, South Africa

Abstract

Solifuges were caught with pitfall traps over a 29-month period in three different habitats at Tierberg, near Prince Albert. A total of 134 individuals of at least nine species of four families (Ceromidae, Daesiidae, Gylippidae and Solpugidae) were trapped in the three habitats. Bhssia karrooica, B. unquicornis and Hemiblossia idioceras were caught only on plains, Bhssia sp. nov. was caught only on ‘heuweltjies‘, Lipophaga trispinosa was caught only on old fields, and Hemiblossia oneili and Solpugiba lineata were caught in all three habitats. Most species were active in the summer (October-March) but two species, Bhssia karrooica and Lipophaga trispinosa were active throughout the year.