Amblypigid parthenogenesis?

[Wade]

Does anybody know if amblypigids can reproduce through parthenogenesis? I was excited, but perplexed, to see one of my females with a load of babies on here back.

I purchased a group of ten young ones last summer and was keeping them together, but after loosing a few (presumably to cannbalism), I split them into individual containers. Unfortunately, these were one of the few animals I wasn't keeping any records on, but I am pretty sure all have molted once or twice since splitting them up.

Could this be parthenogenesis, or can they retain sperm through a molt?

BTW, it's a Damon sp. if that matters.


Wade

[Ditzel]

Parthenogenesis is known within the order Amblypygi, but as far as I know, only in the families Phrynidae and (maybe) Charinidae. The genus Damon is in Phrynichidae.
I don't think retention of sperm after a molt occurs.
In summary, I think it is most likely that a mating has occured while they were kept together.

Anyway, congratulations on breeding what I think is the most interesting
type of arachnid!

Regards,
Nicholas Ditzel

[Wade]

Thanks for the information! I wish I'd kept molt records on these so I'd know for sure. I will from now on.

Wade