Migas taierii explained

Migas taierii is a species of Mygalomorph spider endemic to New Zealand.^[1]

Taxonomy

This species was described in 1968 by Cecil Wilton from female and male specimens collected in Otago. The holotype is stored in Otago Museum.

Description

The female is recorded at 17.7mm in length. The carapace and legs are pale orange brown. The abdomen is pale brownish grey with some purplish grey dorsally. The male is recorded at 9.2mm in length. The colours are similar to that of the female.

Distribution

This species is only known from Taieri Mouth in Otago, New Zealand.

Conservation status and threats

Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Nationally Endangered" with the qualifiers of "Climate Impact", "Data Poor: Size", "Data Poor: Trend" and "One Location". This species is particularly vulnerable as its only known population is estimated to be around 300 individuals. Their only known population is located in an area that is prone to erosion, further threatening this species.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Forster . Raymond Robert . Wilton . Cecil Louis . 1968-01-01 . The Spiders of New Zealand Part II: Ctenizidae, Dipluridae & Migidae . Otago Museum bulletin . 2 . 1–166.
2. Sirvid . P. J. . Vink . C. J. . Fitzgerald . B. M. . Wakelin . M. D. . Rolfe . J. . Michel . P. . 2020-01-01 . Conservation status of New Zealand Araneae (spiders), 2020 . New Zealand Threat Classification Series . English . 34 . 1–37.