Web site characteristics, dispersal and species status of New Zealand’s katipō spiders, Latrodectus katipo and L. atritus Thesis
- Author
- Griffiths, J.W.
- Year
- 2001
- Publisher / Organisation
- Lincoln University
- Pages
- 91
- Species
- Latrodectus katipo, katipo, Latrodectus atritus, katipo
- Keywords
- katipō
- Summary
- Over the last 30 years, Latrodectus katipo Powell 1870 and L. atritus Urquhart 1890 numbers have declined and these species are now absent from many dune systems where they were once common. The cause of the decline in L. katipo and L. atritus numbers is not certain and little is known about their ecology. This thesis examined L. katipo and L. atritus web site characteristics, dispersal, species status and the probable implications of habitat modification on their ecology. The thesis focused on these aspects of L. katipo and L.atritus in order to provide information that might be used to conserve these species.