Abstract
The life history strategy of the Colorado brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) is typical, with males spatially dispersing in search of females in autumn, while females take care of fertilized eggs the following summer. Here, we highlighted aspects related to this female parental care. In particular, we compared the activity of maternal (egg-caring) tarantulas with non-maternal (no egg-caring) tarantulas, as this may be a costly period for individuals who care for eggs. We concluded that maternal individuals tend to be less active at the burrow entrance, although these results were significant in only one comparison. After several weeks of this parental care, the juveniles emerge from the silken eggshell before dispersing from the natal site. Additional work reported in Chapter 5 describes the first days after emergence and ultimately the juvenile mass dispersal process. This work provides foundational knowledge about a particularly understudied aspect of tarantula biology.
Allendorfer, Bradley, “Behavioral Ecology of the Colorado Brown Tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi): Activity Displayed Around Burrows Throughout the Aggregative Dispersal of Larvae” (2024). Master’s theses and doctoral theses.1261.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1261
