An Entomologist’s perspective

The extensive deforestation is omnipresent on our long two day journey from Antananarivo towards Bemanevika. Montane forests harbor some of the most intact natural regions worldwide. The isolation from large economic centers and difficult access have only the select few opting to build a life in the mountains. That being said, a rapidly growing population and a high demand for mostly wood in all its applications, moves up the slopes fast here, outgrowing any worries on a shifting climate. After the drive, an intensive two day walk brings us to our camp in the largely intact Mahimborondro forest. The walk starts in a grassland dominated landscape that gradually is populated by more forest. The softly aching melancholy is replaced by a growing all-encompassing enthusiasm for this “amazing” forest, as our American colleagues would say. The crystal clear stream valleys with well-developed multi-layered canopy forest are a pure pleasure to wander through. Charismatic Pandanus the size of apple trees create a feeling of ancient intact and virgin ecosystems. Dense ridge forests barely reaching overhead, covered in lichens and mosses, let the mind wander and sparkle high expectations of adapted camouflaged creatures in the most exciting of shapes. We are privileged to study this ecosystem for a week. Of the selected groups of invertebrates considered, a noteworthy find on this bird inspired expedition was the observation of several pelican spiders (Archeidae), also known as assassin spiders, on the Pandanus plants. Pelican spiders prey on other spiders and thank their name to the unique long jaws (chelicerae) that define the lateral silhouette of the spider, reminiscent of a perched pelican. The first specimen of these small vegetation crawling spiders was wittingly observed by our colleague Brett Gardener on a nocturnal foray for reptiles. A targeted and intensive quest the days after, yielded several more specimens. Considering the isolated location and scant spider observations from this region, our observations could be a valuable elevation extension or maybe even a new species for science. Hoping for a swift processing of export permits now and a successful transfer of the samples to the laboratory so we can study this material. Exciting times ahead!