NOTES ON THE NESTING AND FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF A NOVEL CAVE SPECIES OF PHLOGIELLUS

The ecology of Phlogiellus sp. (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Polillo, Quezon was studied during the dry and wet seasons. Zonal distribution, nesting ecology and foraging behaviour were particularly surveyed. Spiders were collected both inside and outside the caves to determine whether this particular species is a troglobite, troglophile or a trogloxene. Observations found that Phlogiellus sp. was widely distributed throughout Caves 3 and 4.Early results show that Phlogiellus sp. is a potential troglophile. This particular species was also found to inhabit various substrates inside the caves, spinning tunnel webs on debris, walls, and even on speleothems. This is a unique trait not found in other members of the genus Phlogiellus . Foraging behavior was also observed and diet was discovered to be diverse. This species was observed to prey on cave cockroaches, cave frogs, and cave crickets. Statistical analyses of acquired data are ongoing.