NorCal Palpigradi Hunting

[gzophia]

Hello everyone,

The order Palpigradi is one of the most obscure and least-understood groups of arachnids. I have always gravitated towards the unknown, and I decided to do a bit of research on US representatives of this order.
Well, what do you know-- one particular species, Prokoenenia californica, was described 45 minutes north of where I live. I'm going to see if I can find it.

I don't know when I'll be able to set out (I can't drive quite yet), but I will keep this post updated if anything interesting happens.

In the meantime, I was wondering if anyone had any info or experience with Palpigradi in general, so I can be prepared. Do they glow under UV light? How far deep down are they found?

Thanks.

 

[gzophia]

Update: We went to the discovery area and alas, no luck. The whole place had been turned into a neighborhood/vineyard. Palpigrade species apparently have very small ranges from what I read, so there's a chance that this species has gone extinct. It was 111 years ago, after all.

I will be heading back to try again tomorrow.

 

[Arachnides Canada]

Good luck, and please keep updating!

 

[gzophia]

Good luck, and please keep updating!

Thank you, I certainly will! I'm determined to find one.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Update: We went to the discovery area and alas, no luck. The whole place had been turned into a neighborhood/vineyard. Palpigrade species apparently have very small ranges from what I read, so there's a chance that this species has gone extinct. It was 111 years ago, after all.

I will be heading back to try again tomorrow.

This is what happens to a lot of species , corporations often come in and wipe everything out. Good luck on finding this unusual species it’s possible some survived as small as they are.

 

[gzophia]

This is what happens to a lot of species , corporations often come in and wipe everything out. Good luck on finding this unusual species it’s possible some survived as small as they are.

Definitely; I'm hoping their small size allowed them to evade this to some extent...

 

[gzophia]

Update: Once again, no luck. Searched the area but found no signs of these elusive animals; had to give up due to heat exhaustion.

I will put the search on hiatus as the worst of allergy season passes by, and then I will continue trying.

 

[Godsmack1934]

Good luck, I hope your able to find one! If you do be sure to keep us updated.

 

[gzophia]

Good luck, I hope your able to find one! If you do be sure to keep us updated.

Thanks, I sure will!

 

[Brewser]

Update: Once again, no luck. Searched the area but found no signs of these elusive animals; had to give up due to heat exhaustion.

Wishing You Good Luck on Your Quest.
Have You tried Nocturnal Search, perhaps more active at night?

 

[gzophia]

Wishing You Good Luck on Your Quest.
Have You tried Nocturnal Search, perhaps more active at night?

Thank you! I have, but only in my yard and not at the original capture site. I can't drive yet and would rather wait a few years before going to another city at night on my own haha.
To be honest, I don't know if night affects them at all. They live in the soil or under leaf litter, so the only real change at night would be reduced temperatures. Maybe it affects them though; I don't know.