Intertidal Trapdoor Spider, Idioctis yerlata

Problem:
The case of the Intertidal Trapdoor Spider is a good example of the problems faced by animals restricted to highly specific habitats.  Because its biggest known population is one tiny patch of mangrove shoreline (25m by 20m) in northern Queensland, a single act of environmental vandalism, or a catastrophic event (such as a cyclone or misplaced insect spraying) could plunge the species into extinction.

Background information:
The Intertidal Trapdoor Spider is a rare species.  Its chances of survival are made worse by the problem of its public image as a venomous ‘creepy-crawly'.  The spiders build their funnel-shaped webs among mangrove trunks or exposed roots.  During high tide they close their trap-doors to keep spider and funnel dry until the tide recedes.

Research:
Queensland Museum arachnologists discovered this spider near Cape Tribulation, described it as a new species, and identified its special mangrove requirements.

Solution:
This species represents the only known threatened spider in Australia.  Its unique mangrove habitat should be protected and surveys conducted to see if the Intertidal Trapdoor could be found at other sites.

The next species is the Mary River Turtle