Natural History of Coastal Peruvian Solifuges with a Redescription of Chinchippus peruvianus and an additional new species (Arachnida, Solifugae, Ammotrechidae)

Authors

Alessandro Catenazzi, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow
Jack O. Brookhart, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Paula E. Cushing, Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Comments

Published in The Journal of Arachnology, Vol. 37 No. 2 (2009) at http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_tocs/JOA_contents_v37n2.html

Abstract

Two species of Chinchippus (Ammotrechidae) were studied in central Peru. Both species are endemic to the hyper-arid coastal desert and appear to derive most of their energy and nutrients from maritime prey, such as intertidal amphipods feeding on beach-cast algae or as arthropod scavengers feeding upon seabird and pinniped carcasses. Data on the spatial distribution of the two species were obtained from analyzing stomach contents of one common predator, the gecko Phyllodactylus angustidigitus, and suggest that both species are more abundant in insular than in mainland habitats. We redescribe Chinchippus peruvianus Chamberlin 1920, known only from a female specimen and describe the male for the first time while C. viejaensis is recognized as new. The new species is distinguished from C. peruvianus by its darker coloration, smaller size, and differences in cheliceral dentition.

Recommended Citation

Catenazzi, Alessandro, Brookhart, Jack O. and Cushing, Paula E. "Natural History of Coastal Peruvian Solifuges with a Redescription of Chinchippus peruvianus and an additional new species (Arachnida, Solifugae, Ammotrechidae)." (Jan 2009).