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

ENGLISH 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. Blossia karrooica, B. unquicornis and Hemiblossia idioceras were caught only on plains, Blossia 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, Blossia karrooica and Lipophaga trispinosa were active throughout the year. *********** AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Jagspinnekoppe is in vanggate gedurende 'n tydperk van 29 maande in drie verskillende habitatte op Tierberg, naby Prince Albert, gevang. 'n Totaal van 134 individue van nege spesies van vier families (Ceromidae, Daesiidae, Gylippidae en Solpugidae) is in die drie habitatte gevang. Blossia karrooica, B. unquicornis en Hemiblossia idioceras is net op die vlaktes gevang, Blossia sp. nov. is net op heuweltjies gevang, Lipophaga trispinosa is net op ou landerye gevang, en Hemiblossia oneili en Solpugiba lineata is by al drie habitatte gevang. Die meeste van die spesies was aktief gedurende die somer (Oktober-Maart), maar twee spesies, Blossia karrooica en Lipophaga trispinosa was deur die hele jaar aktief.