The Spruce—fir Moss Spider (Microhexura montivaga) is a federally endangered species found only in the high-elevation southern Appalachian spruce—fir forests.Little is known about the basic ecology of the spider. Also, the dense, evergreen canopy of these Appalachian spruce-fir forests produces a unique microclimate that fosters the growth of myriad mosses, liverworts, ferns, and herbs that in turn support species like the endangered endemic spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga). 15 October 2008 (original upload date) Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia by SreeBot. The Spruce Fir Moss Spider lives in the high mountains of Southern Appalachia (mainly North Carolina with some in Tennessee and Virginia). Little was known about the species until its rediscovery approximately 50 years laterin 1981. The extremely endangered spruce-fir moss spider, one of the world’s tiniest tarantulas, lives only in moss mats found in a few of these high-elevation coniferous forests. Although the Spruce-Fir Moss Spider has been listed as endangered since 1994, minimal research has been done on its basic ecology, and there is presently no long-term monitoring plan in place. The Spruce-fir Moss Spider (Microhexura montivaga) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "arachnids" and found in the following area(s): North Carolina, Tennessee. They are found on moss mats in Fraser forests where they build tube shaped webs. The spruce-fir moss spider occurs in well-drained moss and liverwort mats growing on rocks or boulders. The Spruce—fir Moss Spider (Microhexura montivaga) is a federally endangered species found only in the high-elevation southern Appalachian spruce—fir forests.Little is known about the basic ecology of the spider. Spruce-fir moss spider. These mats are found in well-shaded areas in mature, high elevation (> 5,000 feet mean sea level) Fraser fir and red spruce forests. Spruce–fir Moss Spider appears well known, the actual parameters have yet to be documented, which is one of the primary goals of this research. Spruce-fir Moss Spider Timeline 2007-2009: wide-ranging status survey reveals two more metapopulations (Coyle) 2004: status survey in GSMNP increases # records from 7 to 15 locations (Coyle) 2001: critical habitat designated 1999: discovered on Roan Mtn during status survey (Coyle) 1998: recovery plan completed 1997: status survey reveals viable pops in 4 areas of Mt LeConte The high elevation forests where this spider is found are dominated by Fraser fir with scattered red spruce. The Spruce-Fir Moss Spider, known by its scientific name Microhexura montivaga, lives exclusively at high altitudes, above 5,400 feet, most commonly in the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest and Cherokee National Forest.It’s about the size of a BB pellet, and as its name implies, this little arachnid likes being near spruce and fir trees. These spiders are the smallest of mygalomorph,or tarantula-like spiders (2-5 mm, or roughly the size of a BB). The spruce fir moss spider is a species of spider known by the taxonomic name Microhexura montivaga.It is perhaps best known for its status as an endangered species. The spruce-fir moss spider is an endangered animal found only on the highest peaks of the Southern Appalachians. Even in that limited habitat, it is very particular about the type of moss it lives in. The goal of this project was to determine the temperature and humidity parameters of the microhabitat around known spider locations. Fish and Wildlife Service " Author: U.S. The red spruce, likewise, which is easily damaged by high winds, depended on the sturdier Fraser firs for protection in the wind-blasted higher elevations. Share. As its name implies, it lives in moss mats on the forest floor beneath the spruce-fir forest canopy. Tweet; Description: I went to the Smoky Mountains to find a certain type of tarantula, the spruce-fir moss spider. First identified in 1923, they inhabit moss that grows on rocks underneath the forest canopy. The spiders only live in a few locations in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Habitat: The spruce-fir moss spider only lives on the highest mountain peaks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southwest Virginia. The importance of recording microhabitat parameters and predictive mapping is reflected in the goals of the Recovery Plan for the Spruce–fir Moss Spider … Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182 USA. Overcoming Adversity This spider, also known as the Microhexura Montivaga, is one of the smallest tarantulas found in North America. Spruce-Fir Moss Spider. This spider resembles a tiny "tarantula" with adults measuring in at only 14.3 to 3.8 millimeters. Spruce fir moss spiders, Microhexura montivaga, are often affectionately referred to as the “tiny tarantulas of the mountains” because of their resemblance and relation to the giant tarantulas of tropical regions. Asheville, NC - spruce-fir moss spider - WNC magazine is a celebration of everything you love about Western North Carolina – outdoor adventures, colorful arts and entertainment, rich histories, gorgeous homes, dining, and little-known stories about the people of our unique region. English: Spruce-fir moss spider, Microhexura montivaga. Living the Appalachian Mountains in the USA, the world’s smallest animal is sadly is on the Endangered Species List due to increasing shortages of moss mats that are critical to the spider’s survival. Spruce fir moss spiders, Microhexura montivaga, are often affectionately referred to as the “tiny tarantulas of the mountains” because of their resemblance and relation to the giant tarantulas of tropical regions. Original caption: "U.S. As an endangered species found in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, The Spruce-fir moss spider is federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. I had heard they live in the moss that collects at higher elevations, so that's where I went. The Spruce-fir moss spider is an endangered spider related to the tarantula. Sky island diversification meets the multispecies coalescent – divergence in the spruce‐fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga, Araneae, Mygalomorphae) on the highest peaks of southern Appalachia Marshal Hedin. The spruce-fir moss spider lives only beneath emerald green moss mats that cling to boulders at high elevations, typically above 5,300 feet. Date: Retrieved 2008-10-15. The goal of this project was to determine the temperature and humidity parameters of the microhabitat around known spider locations. The month was November, and it was starting to get a little chilly in the region. Moss provides the insulation and food resources the spider needs to survive. - About the size of a BB pellet, the spruce-fir moss spider is the world’s smallest classified tarantula. The spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga), was originally described by Crosby and Bishop (1925) based on collections made in 1923 from Mount Mitchell in western North Carolina, the highest point in eastern North America. It is found in eight WNC counties and some areas of eastern Tennessee. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines the spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga) to be an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Spruce-fir moss spider. This article is only an excerpt. By our criteria the spruce-fir moss spider fits the bill at a whoppingly tiny 4 millimeters. It was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1995. $1.25 Thursday, April 17, 2014 The Microhexura Montivaga What is it? The spruce fir moss spider is a little different from a lot of its spider kin. - Found only on peaks above 5,300 feet, this arachnid was discovered on Mt. By: Lauryn davis Endangered species research project Detail 5: What can be done regarding the endangered species: Detail 2: Habitat: Detail 6: What efforts are being done to help preserve species: My thoughts on what should be done and why: Detail 3:What enables species to live This particular species inhabits high-elevation forests in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The U.S. To the Mountaintops: Searching for the spruce-fir moss spider Mitchell in 1923, and because of its remote location and diminutive size, very little is known about it. The spruce-fir moss spider is a tiny spider that lives only in the high peaks of the Appalachian Mountains in the spruce fir trees for which they are … The Spruce-fir moss spider, Microhexura montivaga, is an endangered species of spider found at high elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga) Cork-lid trapdoor spiders (Family Halonoproctidae) Southern Trapdoor Spider (Ummidia audouini) Ravine Trapdoor Spider (Cyclocosmia truncata) The smallest of them is the Spruce-fir moss spider, one of only a few spider species ever listed according to the terms of the Endangered Species Act. Read More. The spruce-fir moss spider was originally described by researchers based on collections made from a mountain peak in western North Carolina in 1923 and only a few specimens were taken. While many spiders are small, this species reaches a maximum of only 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) at full growth. Corresponding Author. The spruce-fir moss spider is a tiny (3-5 mm adult size) mygalomorph spider (a group of spiders commonly called 'tarantulas') that is restricted to moist but well-drained moss mat habitats in high-elevation spruce-fir forests of southern Appalachia (Harp 1992). Creature Profile. This inhibits proper management of the species (USFWS 2019). Spruce-fir moss spiders live in moss mats found only in the vicinity of Fraser fir trees. Microhexura montivaga. Fish and Wildlife Service: Licensing . The spruce–fir moss spider, which preferred mosses that thrived in the cool shade beneath the mature firs, is believed to be extirpated in all but a few places in North Carolina. Habitat: The spruce-fir moss spider is found in damp but well-drained moss and liverwort mats growing on rocks or boulders and in well-shaded areas of mature, high-elevation Fraser fir and fir dominated spruce-fir forests.