Solpugids (Arachnida) of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico

We present the first results from long-term monitoring data on the solpugid s, or sun spiders, of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) in cent ral New Mexico. Twelve species were collected from the site, including a ne w species in the genus Hemerotrecha and a state record for Eremobates simon i. Eremobates pallipes and Hemerotrecha fruitana were common and widespread . Species richness and composition at SNWR were similar to those of Colorad o and southwestern New Mexico. Biogeographic influences on species composit ion included Great Plains grassland, Colorado Plateau, and Chihuahuan Deser t. There was some evidence of hybridization between E. pallipes and E. ariz onica, although none between the two sympatric species Arenotherus puebloen sis and A. mumai. The time course of the study included the El Nine of 1991 -1992 and the drought (La Nina) of 1994-1995. Neither of these weather even ts was significantly associated with changes in solpugid abundance. a patte rn also found for many other SNWR surface-active arthropods.