Carapace Width as a Tool for Evaluating the Rate of Development of Spiders in the Laboratory and the Field1

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Abstract
The mean carapace width (logarithm) shows a linear relationship to stadium for 8 families and 14 species of spiders. Laboratory data from the literature for 4 families and 8 species are plotted to illustrate the point. The rate of increase in mean carapace width shows a linear relationship to sample date for field-collected Tarentula kochi Keyserling, although the slope changes between stadia VI and VII and stadia IX and X (3 regression equations). The carapace width of T. kochi increases 0.15 and 0.32 mm per stadium between stadia I through VI and VII through XII, respectively. The duration of a stadium was calculated by dividing the increase in carapace width between molts by the slope of the regression equation. The calculated duration of stadia I through VI, VII through IX and X through XII was 27.3, 29.6, and 56.1 days per stadium, respectively, for T. kochi in the field. When a 4°C warmer mean microclimate temperature was considered, the duration of stadia I through VI, VII through IX, and X through XII was 29, 35.6, and 55 days per stadium respectively, as predicted from laboratory-rearing data. In addition, regression equations of weight against carapace width for T. kochi and Aptostichus atomarius Simon were similar. The regression equation of weight to carapace width is very useful in relating mean weight of spiders in the field to stadium or size.

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