University of Pretoria Zoology and Entomology Department
The South African National Diversity institute (SANBI) says they have noticed an abnormal development in trapdoor spiders found in the Karoo.
The Communications Director for SANBI Craig Allenby says a recent study has drawn attention to abnormalities that could be linked to the use of chemicals in the Karoo which is earmarked for shale gas exploration.
He says several scholars suggested that the extensive use of pesticide used in the last twenty years may have played a role in the formation of "teratologies".
Allenby says this refers to deformities, defects and abnormalities detected in the physical development of spiders.
Spiders typically have eight eyes and ‘ocular teratology’ is considered a deviation from the normal ocular pattern.
A PhD student Shannon Mitchell believes the study is significant because it draws attention to abnormalities in spider physiology which may have a strong environmental link.
“I think it is important to build up a large body of work regarding teratological issues as when multiple cases can be compared the true underlying reason may be discovered,” she said.
In their paper, they discuss some of the reasons why the teratologies may have arisen, such as genetic factors, embryonic injury, developmental injury or environmental factors (such as pesticide use).
Mitchell told the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP) the findings require much future research but should be taken as a possible cautionary tale when using pesticides and polluting water resources through activities such as shale gas exploration.
The study formed part of the Karoo BioGaps Project, a large scale project funded by FBIP.
The University of Pretoria (UP) also conducted detailed surveys on trapdoor spiders found in the area. This particular project in 2017 was led by Robin Lyle of the Agricultural Research Council.
