Bird Dung Spider Facts
- This intriguing creation of evolution most commonly goes by the attention-grabbing common name of the Bird Dung Spider. Yet, it also has a few other, if very similar, general titles that it’s known by. These include the similar terms Bird Dropping Spider and Bird Poop Spider.
- Inside of the scientific world, however, it’s perhaps markedly better known by its technical moniker. That tag, though, remains extremely difficult for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because the unusual Arthropod holds the formal epithet Phrynarachne ceylonica.
- It received that rather tongue-twisting designation due to the efforts of Octavius Pickard-Cambridge. The highly respected English zoologist recorded the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy feat in the year 1884.
- Fortunately, the amazing Bird Dung Spider appears to be maintaing a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. That pleasant state also seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its range. The IUCN thus currently does not show it on its Red List of Threatened Species.
- This invertebrate nevertheless should still be considered as facing several potential threats to its continued existence as a species. Like all forms of life on earth today, most of these stem from the actions of man. These perils include habitat loss and ongoing climate change.
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Bird Dung Spider Physical Description
The extraordinary Bird Dung Spider understandably grabs one’s attention almost immediately when first viewed. The amazing creature generally does so, however, due to its remarkable appearance, not pure size. That’s because, in that specific respect, it’s a rather small example of its kind.
The arachnid also follows a natural pattern in this regard common to its many relatives around the world. That’s true since it displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its case, though, the trait’s much more obvious than in some of its other relations.
More specifically, females of the highly unique species attain a significantly greater average body size than their male counterparts. These lengths typically range from approximately 0.3 – 0.47 in (0.8 – 1.2 cm). The males, meanwhile, generally only reach about half of that already small size.
The gender-based differences do not simply end there, though. Females often possess a broader and far more robust abdomen compared to males. Their abdomen also displays notably more pronounced mimicry features, such as bumps and irregular shapes, enhancing their disguise.
Otherwise, the two sexes of the astonishing Bird Dung Spider display the same general, if quite distinctive, appearance and structure. Its coloring’s a mix of brown, white, and black, mimicking the appearance of bird droppings. This also includes a glossy, uneven texture, further enhancing that.
The patterns on the body itself vary, but usually consist of a mottled combination of colors that help break up the outline of the spider, making it less noticeable. The carapace further forms as slightly elevated and often has a very rough, warty surface, adding to the illusion of dung.
Its abdomen also developed as relatively broad and flat, sometimes displaying a humped or irregular shape that contributes to the mimicry. It sometimes has various protuberances or bumps. The legs develop as both short and stout, with a mottled pattern that blends into the body’s coloring.
Like countless others of its kind across the globe, this marvel of Nature and evolution also has eight eyes. In its specific case, these features appear grouped into two distinct rows of four. Individually, however, each of these delicate orbs remains quite small, and not particularly prominent.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Family: Thomisidae
- Genus: Phrynarachne
- Species: P. ceylonica
Bird Dung Spider Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Fortunately for it, the Bird Dung Spider apparently evolved as native to a comparatively broad expanse of the surface of the earth. The location of that zone of habitation likely won’t surprise many people, though. It developed as native to several parts of South and Southeast Asia.
Within that broader area, however, the wonder’s most frequently associated with certain regions. The island nation of Sri Lanka ranks at the top of this list. Its name, ceylonica, even derives from this, given that Ceylon served as a previous name for the incredibly beautiful country.
Yet, the amazing invertebrate also makes its home in several other areas as well. Some of these locations include parts of India, Thailand, and Myanmar. Many reports also place the intrepid creature in several other countries in the region, though these reports haven’t been substantiated.
This fascinating spider developed a surprising degree of flexibility regarding its choice of habitat. Due to this trait, it’s found in a remarkably wide variety of ecosystems and habitats. All of these settings, though, make the greatest use of its extremely unusual natural camouflage capabilities.
It’s also commonly found in both tropical and subtropical forests. These types of forests serve to provide it with abundant leaf litter, fallen debris, and low vegetation. Yet, it also often inhabits the lower layers of the forest, including bushes and shrubs. Both locales remain ideal for its purposes.
The impressive spider also lives in more open habitats like scrublands and grasslands, where there is sufficient ground cover and vegetation to provide suitable perches. Gardens, parks, and even agricultural areas also serve. Any area where actual bird droppings appear serves it perfectly well.
Like its numerous kindred around the world, the fantastic Bird Dung Spider evolved as a pure carnivore. Given its own size, the amazing Arthropod feeds primarily on many significantly smaller, locally available insects. Its diet includes a variety of arthropods that are deceived by its mimicry.
Unlike many spiders that use webs to catch their hapless prey, this wonder of the natural world evolved as an ambush predator. It relies purely on the qualities of stealth and surprise, remaining as motionless as possible until unsuspecting prey ventures close enough to be captured.
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