The ”’Dolloff cave spider”’ (””’Meta dolloff””’) is a [[spider]] native to California, among the rarest spiders of North America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meta dolloff|url=https://bugguide.net/node/view/749107|website=Bug Guide|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref>
The ”’Dolloff cave spider”’ (””’Meta dolloff””’) is a [[spider]] native to California, among the rarest spiders of North America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meta dolloff|url=https://bugguide.net/node/view/749107|website=Bug Guide|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref>
This species was listed as vulnerable in 1996 on the [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals]].<ref name=iucnredlist/> This doesn’t provide [[law|legal]] protection for the species, but the list tracks animals that may become [[endangered|endangered.]] Adult ”M. dolloff” have long legs, pale coloration, and reduced pigmentation compared to surface-dwelling ”Meta” species, likely reflecting their adaptation to low-light habitats. The total body length is approximately 6–8 mm, with females slightly larger than males. Like other ”Meta” spiders, they build orb webs in humid, sheltered locations such as cave entrances.
This species was listed as vulnerable in 1996 on the [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals]].<ref name=iucnredlist/> This doesn’t provide [[law|legal]] protection for the species, but the list tracks animals that may become [[endangered|endangered.]] Adult ”M. dolloff” have long legs, pale coloration, and reduced pigmentation compared to surface-dwelling ”Meta” species, likely reflecting their adaptation to low-light habitats. The total body length is approximately 6–8 mm, with females slightly larger than males. Like other ”Meta” spiders, they build orb webs in humid, sheltered locations such as cave entrances.
==Habitat==
==Habitat==
The Dolloff cave spider has been found in caves in the Empire Cave System near [[University of California, Santa Cruz]], and in the [[Wilder Ranch State Park|Gray Whale Ranch State Park]].
The Dolloff cave spider has been found in caves in the Empire Cave System near [[University of California, Santa Cruz]], and in the [[Wilder Ranch State Park|Gray Whale Ranch State Park]].
Since the discovery of ”Meta dolloff” in the Empire and Dolloff Caves, Santa Cruz, California, ”M. dolloff” have been found to regularly exist and reproduce outside of caves in other subterranean habitats such as railroad tunnels and human-dug soil pits at UC Santa Cruz.<ref>{{cite journal|title=””Meta dolloff” Levi, 1980 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) in cave-like environments|last1=Krohn|first1=Alexander R.|last2=Jones|first2=Alexander S.|year=2020|journal=The Pan-Pacific Entomologist|volume=96|issue=3|pages=185-187|doi=10.3956/2020-96.3.185|s2cid=222211123}}</ref>
Since the discovery of ”Meta dolloff” in the Empire and Dolloff Caves, Santa Cruz, California, ”M. dolloff” have been found to regularly exist and reproduce outside of caves in other subterranean habitats such as railroad tunnels and human-dug soil pits at UC Santa Cruz.<ref>{{cite journal|title=””Meta dolloff” Levi, 1980 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) in cave-like environments|last1=Krohn|first1=Alexander R.|last2=Jones|first2=Alexander S.|year=2020|journal=The Pan-Pacific Entomologist|volume=96|issue=3|pages=185-187|doi=10.3956/2020-96.3.185|s2cid=222211123}}</ref>
= Behavior and Ecology =
= Behavior and Ecology =
The Dolloff cave spider (”Meta dolloff”) is considered a troglophile species, meaning it can survive and reproduce both inside and outside of caves. It typically builds orb-shaped webs near cave entrances or within the twilight zone where humidity is high and small flying insects are abundant. Individuals have also been found in artificial subterranean environments such as railroad tunnels and soil pits near the University of California, Santa Cruz, suggesting that the species can adapt to human-modified habitats.
The Dolloff cave spider (”Meta dolloff”) is considered a troglophile species, meaning it can survive and reproduce both inside and outside of caves. It typically builds orb-shaped webs near cave entrances or within the twilight zone where humidity is high and small flying insects are abundant. Individuals have also been found in artificial subterranean environments such as railroad tunnels and soil pits near the University of California, Santa Cruz, suggesting that the species can adapt to human-modified habitats.
==References==
==References==
Species of spider
The Dolloff cave spider (Meta dolloff) is a spider native to California, among the rarest spiders of North America.[2]
This species was listed as vulnerable in 1996 on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals.[1] This doesn’t provide legal protection for the species, but the list tracks animals that may become endangered. Adult M. dolloff have long legs, pale coloration, and reduced pigmentation compared to surface-dwelling Meta species, likely reflecting their adaptation to low-light habitats. The total body length is approximately 6–8 mm, with females slightly larger than males. Like other Meta spiders, they build orb webs in humid, sheltered locations such as cave entrances.[citation needed]
The Dolloff cave spider has been found in caves in the Empire Cave System near University of California, Santa Cruz, and in the Gray Whale Ranch State Park.[citation needed]
Since the discovery of Meta dolloff in the Empire and Dolloff Caves, Santa Cruz, California, M. dolloff have been found to regularly exist and reproduce outside of caves in other subterranean habitats such as railroad tunnels and human-dug soil pits at UC Santa Cruz.[3]
The Dolloff cave spider (Meta dolloff) is considered a troglophile species, meaning it can survive and reproduce both inside and outside of caves. It typically builds orb-shaped webs near cave entrances or within the twilight zone where humidity is high and small flying insects are abundant. Individuals have also been found in artificial subterranean environments such as railroad tunnels and soil pits near the University of California, Santa Cruz, suggesting that the species can adapt to human-modified habitats.[citation needed]
