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Golden brown baboon spider (Augacephalus breyeri)

Order: Araneae
Suborder: Orthognatha
Cohort: Hypodemata
Family: Theraphosidae
Subfamily: Selenocosmiinae
Group: Harpactireae
Genus: Augacephalus

Old name: Pterinochilus breyeri. Augacephalus is a new genus created for both species in 2002 by Richard Gallon.

Description
Theraphosids are large, bulky and hairy with a body length of 13-90 mm long with the average spider measuring 20-50 mm. They have robust non-tapering legs and the pads or scopulae setae under the "feet" allow them to walk up the smoothest of surfaces - even glass.

General
The golden-brown baboon spider occurs from north-eastern South Africa northwards to Ethiopia.

These spiders are called baboon spiders due to their hairy appearance and the black scopulae pads on its "feet" resembling the pads on baboon feet. They are often incorrectly referred to as Tarantulas, a name usurped by the American species from the European wolf spider (family Lycosidae) Lycosa tarantula.

Description and habits
All South African species are terrestrial occurring in underground burrows or scrapes under rocks. The scrape is lined with thick silk, which is attached to the rock and keeps out troublesome insects such as ants. At night, the burrow dwellers can be seen with their front legs and eyes showing at the entrance of their burrows as they wait for unsuspecting prey.

Females usually stay close to their retreat while the males, once mature, roam freely looking for a mate. So the ones you will find roaming around are most likely to be male.

The most dramatic feature of these spiders is the black fangs that can exceed 6 mm in length and are parallel to each other (paraxial). The fangs are set into the jaws (chelicerae) that project forward (porrect). These spiders are black and hairy underneath (ventrally) except in the region of the fangs where the hair colour rnages from orange to a pink/red tinge. During an attack, the forelegs are raised in aggression, exposing the fangs and the orange and black colouration. Dorsally the colouration varies enormously ranging from black, various shades of brown and shades of copper and cinnamon. The abdomen can be plain or marked with spots or chevrons.

The eight eyes are arranged on the carapace on a central tubercle set back slightly from the anterior (front) edge of the carapace. This is called the clypeus and if there is no clypeus, one can be assured that the spider is not a theraphosid but another family instead (either Barychelidae, Cyrtauchenidae or Nemesiidae). All mygalomorphs have two pairs of ventral booklungs that operate on the principle of infusion rather than the more efficient system of inhalation. These spiders are therefore not very active and tire easily.

In other spider families, the males are easily recognised by the expanded ends of the palps where the sperm-carrying organ, the embolus, is situated. The expanded palp ends are not that noticeable in male theraphosids but males can also be recognised by the less bulky abdomen and by a tibial spur situated ventrally on the distal aspect of the tibia of the first pair of legs. The spur is not obvious as it is concealed amongst long hairs (setae) and rather resembles a pointed brush. The spur is used to restrain the females' fangs during copulation.

Propagation and Lifespan
The female lays 30 to 180 eggs but very few survive the 7 to 10 year maturity period. Unlike the true spiders, the araneomorphs, the mygalomorph females continue to moult after reaching maturity and can live for about 25 years. The males live for only about 6 months after maturity and therefore it is of no consequence should the females consume them.

Due to the slow maturity rate and high mortality of immatures, the collecting of baboon spiders is strongly discouraged, as this has led to the decimation of populations. They do not make ideal pets as they are inactive during the day and move around very little even at night. Once the novelty of scaring ones friends has worn off, most spiders in captivity eventually die of dehydration, stress from handling and sheer neglect.

Defense
As mentioned above, theraphosids are harmless to man although the bite is painful and mildly neurotoxic. If bitten, one will experience an intense burning pain in the region of the bite where two red blood spots will develop from the fang punctures. There will be no evidence of discolouration and swelling.

(Main) source: Iziko Museums of Cape Town

Posted by etienne in the New Orpen Gate topic:

Just a quick one .... Who's helping with the relocation of the Golden Brown Baboon Spiders at Orpen? I'd be more than keen to help if need be.

I would also be more than keen, had to relocate one from the washing basket for the SO this morning.

It is great that Sanparks are looking at the small things, makes us all feel good about their efforts & the work of the peeps like yourself Donald.

Looking for any spider collection to view Augacephalus breyeri and Augacephalus junodi. Does anyone have a good live or dead specimen? Also looking for any info on burrows in these spp?

Got a lot of live ones every night buddy, just pm me.

All three specie, posted on another thread, cannot remember where.

I live in Hoedspruit - could I come and have a look at the baboon spiders? Where in the KNP are you?

Hi Folks

There has been a lot of debate around the relocation of Augacephalus breyri. To be honest the reason why they are protected is because of the pet trade. They are not endangered, threatened or rare. Habitat destruction remains their major threat. Exploitation by the pet trade has indicated that if these animals are not protected, their wild populations will be exploited and depleted for commercial gain.

There has been a story for the past few years that after these spiders reach sexual maturity, they lose their ability to excavate a burrow. The idea revolves around small teeth-like projection on the chelicerae called the Rastellum. This story is just that, a story. Baboon spiders excavate their burrows using their fangs to loosen the substrate. They do not have a rastellum. After they moult into sexual maturity the males change their outlook on life completely and abandon their burrows to seek out females. Females remain in their burrows and wait for males. Males often stop feeding and have one thing on their minds. They need to locate a female and mate before the die.

So... males leave their burrows and do not excavate another burrow. Females however, remain in the burrows and after courtship, lay eggs. After the young spiderlings disperse (males leave the burrow and make their own burrows near the females, females travel much further). The sexually mature female will mate again next year, and the next). She is capable of excavating a new burrow if necessary.

However... Outside of their burrows they are unprotected from predators and are indeed an easy meal for many animals. Any area that is suitable for these spiders will already contain naturally occurring populations. Relocating these spiders into an area with existing population’s results in a well fed population of existing spiders. I doubt that any spider will survive into adulthood where there are existing populations. If these spiders are relocated into an environment void of existing populations that all that is means is that area is not suitable for these spiders anyway.

Donald Strydom from the Hoedspruit reptile park would be a good person to contact regarding the removal and relocation of these spiders. Donald, myself and other arachnologists have had many a conversation over the relocation of these spiders. Possible relocation strategies, recreating their burrow structures and the effects on existing populations. One thing is for sure. It's important to understand their behaviours, lifestyles and habitat requirements in order to appreciate the complexities regarding their relocation.

I know this doesn’t help you but it does provide some insight into this problem. Next time I’m in the Lowveld I would be happy to chat to someone face to face regarding this topic.

Kind regards

Jonathan

Jonathan Leeming

Found this one night on my window sill - I stay in East Cape.


Found teh above on on a gravel road to Addo one night.

Any idea what they are - Im guessing "baboon" spiders, because they are taratulla like...