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Desis martensi L. Koch, 1872
| Family Name: | Desidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Spider) |
| Common Name: | Reef Spider |
Name
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | The type specimen of this littoral spider in its own family Desidae was collected at the coral reefs fringing the island now known as Sentosa. It is not uncommon on the rocky beach fronting the Labrador Nature Reserve, and is known from some of the southern islands. During high tide, the spider lives underwater, in an air chamber sealed with a waterproof mat of silk over crevices or holes in corals or rocks, or shells of dead molluscs. The spider emerges at low tide to feed, presumably on isopods (sea cockroaches) and amphipods (sandhoppers). Egg cocoons are placed in waterproof tubes sealed with silk. |
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| Habitats | Aquatic, Coral Reef, Marine |
| Distribution | Desis martensi was described from Singapore, and only recently have specimens been found on coral reefs on northern Pulau Bintan in the Indonesian Riau Archipelago. |
| Nature Reserves | Labrador Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | The loss of natural intertidal zone in coral reef and rocky shore would seriously threaten the survival of this most unusual spider. Constant "beach improvement" plans (i.e. converting rocky reefs into sandy beaches suitable for swimming) pose a serious problem. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Being the only marine spider, there is still a great deal we have to learn about how it is adapted to live in its environment. |
| Conservation Notes | It is crucial to preserve sufficient stretches of intertidal zone in coral reef and rocky shore areas (e.g. Labrador Nature Reserve). |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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