Title:

A 'mathematical' spider living on gravel plains of the Namib Desert

Publication Year:
1995
Abstract:

In certain areas of the Namib gravel plains a new Ariadna sp. was discovered. It rims its vertical burrow with a stone circle, made on average of seven quartz stones. Some mathematical relationships between hole diameter, stone sizes and weight, and animal size were studied. A correlation was found, and stone selection by this spider postulated. Different hypotheses on the adaptive value of stone circle are suggested. Keywords: Ariadna sp., gravel plains, Namib Desert, mathematical relationships, animal size, stone circle, hole diameter.

Publication Title:

Journal of Arid Environments

Volume:
29
Issue:
4
Pages:
485-494
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en

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