%0 Journal Article
%T The longest-lived spider: mygalomorphs dig deep, and persevere
%A Barbara York Main
%A Grant Wardell-Johnson
%A Le
%A a Denise Mason
%J Pacific Conservation Biology
%D 2018
%R 10.1071/PC18015
%X Abstract We report the longest-lived spider documented to date. A 43-year-old, female Gaius villosus Rainbow, 1914 (Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae) has recently died during a long-term population study. This study was initiated by Barbara York Main at North Bungulla Reserve near Tammin, south-western Australia, in 1974. Annual monitoring of this species of burrowing, sedentary mygalomorph spider yielded not only this record-breaking discovery but also invaluable information for high-priority conservation taxa within a global biodiversity hotspot. We suggest that the life-styles of short-range endemics provide lessons for humanity and sustainable living in old stable landscapes.
%U http://www.publish.csiro.au/PC/fulltext/PC18015