FLORA AND FAUNA

in the Philippines

FAUNA is all of the animal life present in a particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora. Flora,
fauna and other forms of life such as fungi are collectively referred to as biota. Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to
refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess
Shale fauna". Paleontologists sometimes refer to a sequence of faunal stages, which is a series of rocks all containing
similar fossils. The study of animals of a particular region is called faunistics.

1. The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), also known as

the Mindoro crocodile, the Philippine freshwater crocodile,
the bukarot[2] in Ilocano, and more generally as a buwaya in most Filipino
lowland cultures,[2] is one of two species of crocodiles found in
the Philippines; the other is the larger saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus
porosus).[3][4] The Philippine crocodile, the species endemic only to the
country, became data deficient to critically endangered in 2008 from
exploitation and unsustainable fishing methods,[5] such as dynamite
fishing.[6] Conservation methods are being taken by the
Dutch/Filipino Mabuwaya foundation,[7] the Crocodile Conservation Society
and the Zoological Institute of HerpaWorld in Mindoro island. It is strictly
prohibited to kill a crocodile in the country, and it is punishable by law.

2. Tarsier, (family Tarsiidae), any of six or more species of small leaping primates
found only on various islands of Southeast Asia, including the
Philippines. Tarsiers are intermediate in form between lemurs and monkeys,
measuring only about 9–16 cm (3.5–6 inches) long, excluding a tail of about twice
that length.

Tarsiers are the only extant entirely carnivorous primates: they are
primarily insectivorous, and catch insects by jumping at them. They are also
known to prey on birds, snakes, lizards, and bats.

The Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta), known locally as mawumag in Cebuano and other Visayan languages,
magô in Winaray and mamag in Tagalog, is a species of tarsier endemic to the Philippines. It is found in the southeastern
part of the archipelago, particularly on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.

3. The giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), also known as

the golden-capped fruit bat, is a species of megabat endemic to the Philippines.
Since its description in 1831, three subspecies of the giant golden-crowned flying
fox have been recognized, one of which is extinct. The extinct subspecies (A.
jubatus lucifer) was formerly recognized as a full species, the Panay golden-
crowned flying fox. Formerly, this species was placed in the genus Pteropus;
while it is no longer within the genus, it has many physical similarities
to Pteropus megabats. It is one of the largest bat species in the world, weighing
up to 1.4 kg (3.1 lb)—only the Indian and great flying fox can weigh more. It has
the longest documented forearm length of any bat species at 215 mm (8.5 in).
It is primarily frugivorous, consuming several kinds of fig. However, its diet also
includes some leaves. It forages at night and sleeps during the day in tree roosts.
These roosts can consist of thousands of individuals, often including another
species, the large flying fox. Not much is known about its reproduction; it gives
birth annually from April through June, with females having one pup at a time.
Predators of the giant golden-crowned flying fox include raptors such as eagles,
the reticulated python, and humans.
Owing to deforestation and poaching for bushmeat, it is an endangered species. Though national and international law
makes hunting and trade of this species illegal, these regulations are inadequately enforced, meaning that the species is
frequently hunted nonetheless. Even in roosts that are more stringently protected from poaching, it is still affected by human
disturbance via tourists who intentionally disturb them during the day.

4. Hog Deer
The Calamian deer (Axis calamianensis), also known as Calamian hog deer, is
an endangered species of deer found only in the Calamian
Islands of Palawan province of the Philippines. It is one of three species of deer native
to the Philippines, the other being the Philippine sambar and Visayan spotted deer.
It's known as the hog deer because when it is fleeing from danger it dashes through
underbrush with its head down like a hog instead of jumping over barriers like other
deer. These animals are crepuscular, meaning that they are active at sunrise and
twilight. They rest during the warmer part of the day and then come out from the
undergrowth to forage. Mainly solitary, they sometimes form small herds if left
undisturbed. As with other deer species, Calamian deer are ruminants, meaning that
they have four stomach chambers and chew cud. A soft, high-pitched, nasal call is their main vocalization. Their diet consist
of shoots, twigs, and leaves.[2]
A typical height for males of 60–65 cm (24–26 in) has been reported. Weight can very usually from 79-110 pounds. Males
have three-tined antlers.[2] Their fawns are not spotted at birth, which separates them from the best known western
population of the hog deer (H. porcinus).
There are few natural predators except for birds of prey and pythons.

5. Magellan Birdwing, Troides magellanus, the Magellan birdwing, is a large and

striking birdwing butterfly found in the Philippines and on Taiwan's Orchid Island.
This butterfly is named for the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who was killed in the
Philippines in 1521.

6. The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the monkey-eating

eagle or great Philippine eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests
in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and
generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.04 to 8.0 kg
(8.9 to 17.6 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of
length and wing surface, with Steller's sea eagle and the harpy eagle being larger in
terms of weight and bulk.[2][3] Among the rarest and most powerful birds in the world, it
has been declared the Philippine national bird.[4][5] It is critically endangered, mainly
due to massive loss of habitat resulting from deforestation in most of its range. Killing
a Philippine eagle is punishable under Philippine law up to 12 years in prison and heavy
fines.
 The decline of the Philippine eagle
The Philippine Eagles in the wild are threatened daily by human activities.

7. The Philippine mouse-deer (Tragulus nigricans), also known as the Balabac

chevrotain or pilandok (in Filipino), is a small, nocturnal ruminant, which
is endemic to Balabac and nearby smaller islands (Bugsuc and Ramos) southwest
of Palawan in the Philippines. The genus Tragulus means 'little goat' and the
Philippine mouse-deer has been named so due to the horizontal pupils of the eyes.
This position of the pupil allows for an increase in peripheral depth perception. It has
traditionally been considered a subspecies of the greater mouse-deer (T. napu). In
2004, though, T. nigricans was separated from T. napu as its own species due to
differences in skull morphology (skull measurements).[3] Contrary to its common name,
the Philippine mouse-deer does not belong to the deer family Cervidae, but is a
member of the chevrotain family.

8. The dwarf pygmy goby or Philippine goby[2] (Pandaka pygmaea) is

a tropical species of fish in the subfamily Gobionellinae from brackish
water and mangrove areas in Southeast Asia.[1][3] It is one of the smallest fish
species in the world. Males reach maturity at a standard length of 0.9 cm (0.35 in) and
can reach up to 1.1 cm (0.43 in) in standard length, while the females can grow up to
1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in total length.[3] Adults weigh around 4 milligrams
(0.00015 oz).[4] It is known as bia and tabios in the Philippines

P. pygmaea was initially reported as being endemic to Malabon, Metro

Manila in the Philippines, where found at shady river banks.[3][5] The
species has now been extirpated from this area as it was reclaimed,
leading to its status as critically endangered by the IUCN.[1] More
recently, it has been discovered at a range of other locations in
Southeast Asia, including Culion
Island, Bali, Sulawesi and Singapore.[1][3] As part of the aquarium trade,
it was imported into Germany in 1958.[3]
P. pygmaea lives in shallow, tropical brackish
water and mangrove areas where mainly found on muddy bottoms or
among plants.

10. The tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis) is a small

hoofed mammal belonging to the family Bovidae.[2] It is endemic to the island
of Mindoro in the Philippines, and is the only endemic Philippine bovine. It is
believed, however, to have once also thrived on the larger island of Luzon. The
tamaraw was originally found all over Mindoro, from sea level up to the mountains
(2000 meters above sea level), but because of human habitation, hunting, and
logging, it is now restricted to only a few remote grassy plains and is now a critically
endangered species.[3]
 Contrary to common belief and past classification, the tamaraw is not a subspecies
of the local carabao, which is only slightly larger, or the common water buffalo. In
contrast to the carabao, it has a number of distinguishing characteristics: it is slightly
hairier, has light markings on its face, is not gregarious, and has shorter horns that
are somewhat V-shaped.[4] It is the second largest native terrestrial mammal in the
country next only to the carabao

11. The giant clams are the members of the clam genus Tridacna that are the
largest living bivalve mollusks. There are actually several species of "giant clams"
in the genus Tridacna, which are often misidentified for Tridacna gigas, the most
commonly intended species referred to as “the giant clam”.
Tridacna gigas is one of the most endangered clam species. Antonio
Pigafetta documented these in his journal as early as 1521. One of a number of
large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian
oceans, they can weigh more than 200 kilograms (440 lb), measure as much as
120 cm (47 in) across and have an average lifespan in the wild of over 100
years.[3] They are also found off the shores of the Philippines and in the South
China Sea in the coral reefs of Sabah (Malaysian Borneo).
The giant clam lives in flat coral sand or broken coral and can be found at depths of as much as 20 m (66 ft).[4] Its range
covers the Indo-Pacific, but populations are diminishing quickly, and the giant clam has become extinct in many areas where
it was once common. The maxima clam has the largest geographical distribution among giant clam species; it can be found
off high- or low-elevation islands, in lagoons or fringing reefs.[5] Its rapid growth rate is likely due to its ability to
cultivate algae in its body tissue.[4]
Although larval clams are planktonic, they become sessile in adulthood. The creature's mantle tissues act as a habitat for
the symbiotic single-celled dinoflagellate algae (zooxanthellae) from which the adult clams get most of their nutrition. By
day, the clam opens its shell and extends its mantle tissue so that the algae receive the sunlight they need
to photosynthesise.

FLORA is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant
life. The corresponding term for animal life is fauna. Flora, fauna and other forms of life such as fungi are collectively referred
to as biota. Sometimes bacteria and fungi are also referred to as flora, as in the terms gut flora or skin flora.

1. Rafflesia manillana is a parasitic plant species of the genus Rafflesia. It is endemic

to the Philippines.[1]
This species was named after the city of Manila. The most recent discussion of the
taxonomy of this species can be found in this citation [2]
Rafflesia panchoana, described in 2007,[3] is considered a heterotypic synonym of R.
manillana.
Did you know that 10 species of Rafflesia, also known as the largest exotic flower in the
world, can only be found in the Philippines?

It is exclusively found in South East Asia and can grow up to 3 meters across. Apart
from the Philippines, it can also be found in neighboring Borneo and Malaysia
where Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest of its kind, usually grows. There are a total of 28 species scattered throughout the region
with other unknown varieties still awaiting discovery.

Out of these 28 species of Rafflesia, 10 are found in the Philippines. Among these is Rafflesia manillana from Luzon which
is also considered as the smallest Rafflesia variety in the world. Other endemic Rafflesia can also be found in the provinces
of Kalinga, Quirino, Antique, Laguna, Quezon, Cotabato, Panay, and Compostela Valley.

Rafflesia, the Corpse Flower.

Rafflesia is one of the strangest plants you can ever find in the botanical world. Without any leaves, roots, or even
stem, Rafflesia relies on another plant in order to survive. It has a parasitic relationship with Tetrastigma, a grape-like vine
which enables Rafflesia to propagate even without photosynthesis.

Rafflesia is also known as carrion plant because it attracts its pollinators like flies and carrion beetles through its foul odor
described as “more repulsive than any buffalo carcass”. This is exactly the same reason why Rafflesia is often referred to
as the “corpse flower”.
 2. Paphiopedilum adductum is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. It
is endemic to Mindanao Island of the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical
moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss and overcollection.

Paphiopedilum adductum is endemic to Mindanao Island of the Philippines, found at high

elevation between 1250 and 1350 meters above sea level, near Impasugong in Bukidnon
province. It grows as an epiphyte in leafy humus, in the subtropical or tropical moist lowland
forests. It prefers mid-shaded habitats in tropical climates and flowers in early winter.

3. Plumeria (/pluːˈmɛriə/) is a genus of flowering plants in

the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.[1] Most species are deciduous shrubs or small trees.
The species variously are indigenous to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean,
and as far south as Brazil and north as Florida, but are grown
as cosmopolitan ornamentals in warm regions.[2][3] Common names for plants in the
genus vary widely according to region, variety, and whim, but Frangipani or variations
on that theme are the most common. Plumeria also is used directly as a common
name, especially in horticultural circles

Botany
Kalachuche is a small, deciduous tree, 3 to 7 meters high, with a crooked trunk, smooth
and shining stems, succulent, with abundant sticky, milky latex. Bark has a smooth,
papery outer layer which is grey, shining, and constantly exfoliating in small flakes. Wood
is yellowish-white and soft. Branches are thick, fleshy, swollen and leafy at the tips.
Leaves are crowded at the terminal end of the branch, commonly oblong in shape, 20 to
40 centimeters long, 7 centimeters wide, spirally arranged at the ends of the branches.
Flowers are numerous, fragrant and large, the upper portion whitish, while the inner lower
portion yellow, 5 to 6 centimeters long. Fruits are linear-oblong or ellipsoid follicles, with
a pointed tip, 15 to 20 centimeters long, 1.5 to 2 centimeters in diameters. Seeds are
numerous and winged.

There are several species of cultivated Plumiera, very similar to P. rubra but for the color
of the corolla.

Distribution
- Usually cultivated for ornamental purposes.
- Nowhere established.
- Introduced from Mexico by the Spaniards.
- Now pantropic.

Parts utilized
Bark, leaves and flowers.

Constituents
- Flowers suppose to be source of perfume known as "Frangipiani."
- Bark contains a bitter glucoside, plumierid (2%).
- Latex contains resins, caoutchouc and calcium salts of plumieric acid: cerotinic acid and lupeol.
- Leaves contain a volatile oil.
- Phytochemical screening of methanol extract yielded steroids, flavanoids, tannins, alkaloids, and glycosides.
- Powdered leaf yielded alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and
saponins.

Properties
- Sweet tasting and neither warming nor
cooling in effect, aromatic.
- Seeds considered hemostatic.
- Considered antiinflammatory, antipyretic,
diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, purgative,
rubefacient.
Uses
Folkloric
· Decoction of bark is used as purgative, emmenagogue, and febrifuge. Latex is similarly employed.
· Preventive for heat stroke: the material may be taken as a cooling tea.
· Root-bark taken internally as a strong purgative.
· Root-bark used as abortifacient.
· Root bark used as remedy for gonorrhea and venereal sores.
· Bark decoction used as antiherpetic.
· Used in treatment of ulcers, herpes, scabies.
· Bruised bark use as plaster over hard tumors.
· In India, bark used as purgative. Bark also used as application for abscesses.
· In Java and Madera, bark decoction used for gonorrhea, dropsy, and dysuria due to venereal disease.
· In Yucatan, latex is used for toothache.
· In Persia, bark is employed against blenorrhagia.
· For dysentery, diarrhea during summer season: use 12 to 24 gms of dried material in decoction.
· Arthritis, rheumatism, pruritic skin lesions: Mix the latex (sap) with coconut oil, warm, and apply to affected area.
· Decoction of the bark is used as a counterirritant on the gums for toothache.
· The latex mixed with coconut oil is used for itching.
· The juice is rubefacient in rheumatic pains, and with camphor, is also used for itching.
· A poultice of heated leaves is beneficial for swellings.
· Decoction of leaves for cracks and eruptions of the soles of the feet.
· Infusion or extract from leaves is used for asthma. Leaves also used as cigarettes to inhale in asthma.
· In Puerto Rico, in emulsion, the milk produces abundant, bilious, watery stools.
· In Mexico, decoction of flowers used in diabetes.

Studies
• Cytotoxic / Antitumor: In Indonesia, six cytotoxic constituents were isolated from the bark of P rubra. The substances
demonstrated cytotoxic activity with panel of murine lymphocytic leukemia cell lines and a number of human cancer cell-
types (breast, colon, fibrosarcoma, lung, melanoma, KB). (1)
• Cytotoxic / Antibacterial / Molluscicidal: From the heartwood, study yielded plumericin and isoplumericin which
molluscicidal, cytotoxic and antibacterial activity.
• Antibacterial: P rubra was one 41 plants extracts from 18 species that showed antibacterial activity. (3)
• Essential Oils : Comparative study of the essential oils of genus Plumiera Linn. from Malaysia showed the oil of P.
acuminata (white flower) was predominantly of benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, trans-nerolidol, neryl phenylacetate and
linanlool. (4)
• Phytochemical / Antimicrobial: Study yielded the presence of tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids,
terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugar from the crude extract. The antibacterial assay showed the methanol
extract to inhibit growth of 14 indicator bacteria. The extract of the flower was more active against B cereus. (5)
• Antioxidant / Hypolipidemic: Study of a flavone glycoside isolated from P rubra produced a significant reduction of serum
triglycerides in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats. Antioxidant activity was confirmed through in vitro studies. (7)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Leaves: A methanol extract of P. acuminata exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity on acute
and chronic experimental animal models. The effect was comparable to that of indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory agent. (17)
• Antioxidant / Free Radical Scavenging Activity: A methanol extract showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity using
a DPPH radical, superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. (16)
• Antimutagenic: Study of ethanol extract of green leaves yielded 4 isolates; three were elucidated a stigmast-7-enol,
lupeol carboxylic acid, and ursolic acid. A1 reduced the number of MPCE induced by mutagen, mitomycin C. (9)
• Antimycotic: Study evaluated the antimycotic activity of four medicinal plant extracts: kalachuchi bark (P. acuminata),
atsuete bark (Bixa orellana), akapulko leaves (C. alata), and neem leaves (A. indica) compared to standard clotrimazole
treatment of otomycosis. Of the four, only kalachuchi bark extract exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus and
Aspergillus niger. (13)
• Antifungal / Otomycosis: Study evaluated a kalachuchi ointment made from a bark extract on patients diagnosed
clinically and microbiologically to have otomycosis. Results showed Kalachuchi extract ointment may be a promising
antifungal ointment. Cure rate was 75% compared to 87.5% for clotrimazole cream. (14)
• Antipyretic / Antinociceptive: Study of a methanol extract of P. acuminata leaves in several experimental models
showed the antipyretic and antinociceptive activity. Results were attributed to phytoconstituents isolated on preliminary
screening: alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, and steroids. (15)
• Antitumor / Antioxidant: Study evaluated the antitumor and antioxidant properties of P. acuminata crude methanol
extract of leaves against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. Results showed an antitumor effect
through modulation of lipid peroxidation and augmentation of antioxidant defense system. (16)
• Comparative Phytochemicals / Flowers of P. alba and P. rubra: Study of flower extracts yielded steroid, flavonoid, and
alkaloid in P. alba and tannin, carbohydrate, glycosides, steroids and flavonoid in the flowers of P. rubra. (19)
• Antimutagens / Leaves: Study of ethanol extract of green leaves yielded three antimutagens viz. stigmast-7-enol, ursolic
acid and lupeol carboxylic acid. The mechanism of action was proposed as a reaction of the oxygen of the hydroxyl group
with the C-10 of Mitomycin C to form mono-or difunctional adducts. In addition, changes in membrane permeability which
could prevent Mitomycin C from entering into the cell and reacting with the DNA. (20)

Superstition
In some regions, it is not planted in the immediate vicinity of habitation, believed to cause difficulties with personal
relationships and separations.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
Cultivated for ornamental use.
 4. Xanthostemon is a genus of trees and shrubs, constituting part of the
myrtle plant family Myrtaceae.[2][3] This genus was first described in 1857
by German–Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller.[1][2] According to
different official sources between 46 and 51 species are known to
science.[2][3][4] They grow naturally in New Caledonia, Australia,
the Solomon Islands and Malesia, including the Philippines, New
Guinea and Indonesia.[2][3][4][5][6] The
genera Pleurocalyptus and Purpureostemon from New Caledonia are
morphologically close to Xanthostemon.

A new species of Xanthostemon, X. fruticosus, presently known only from

the Palanan Wilderness in Isabela Province, Luzon, is described and its
relationships discussed.

5. Strongylodon is a genus of flowering plants in

the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the sub family Faboideae. The
most well-known species of this genus is Strongylodon macrobotrys, also
known as jade vine.

6. Medinilla magnifica, the showy medinilla[1] or rose grape[2] is

a species of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae, native to
the Philippines. This plant is also commonly known as the Philippine orchid,[citation
needed]
and it is an epiphyte. Various species and hybrids in this family are well known
and popular with plant collectors with Medinilla speciosa being found almost
identical.

7. Paphiopedilum ciliolare is a species of flowering plant in the orchid

family, Orchidaceae. It is known commonly as the short haired
paphiopedilum. It is endemic to the Philippines.[1]
This is a rare orchid with a total wild population of fewer than 2500 mature
individuals. It is heavily collected for the horticulture trade and its forest habitat
is threatened with destruction and degradation.[1]

This species is notoriously difficult to propagate. Germination media are most

effective when they contain sugar and tryptone.[
 8. Nepenthes peltata is a tropical pitcher plant known only from the upper slopes
of Mount Hamiguitan on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.[2] It is
characterised by a peltate tendril attachment and conspicuous indumentum. The
species typically produces ovoid pitchers with a prominent basal crest and
large nectar glands on the lower surface of the lid.[1]

The specific epithet peltata is Latin for "peltate" and refers to the distinctive tendril
insertion of this species.

Nepenthes peltata was formally described by Shigeo Kurata in the January 2008
issue of the Journal of Insectivorous Plant
Society.[1] The herbarium specimen Koshikawa 44 is the designated holotype, and
is deposited at the herbarium of the Botany Department of Kyoto University (KYO)
in Kyoto, Japan.[3] The specimen is a plant that was taken from the Mount
Hamiguitan Range and later cultivated at Nanso Botanic Gardens.

9. Paphiopedilum fowliei is a species of plant in the family Orchidaceae. It

is Threatened to Palawan in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or
tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The orchid is herbaceous with blue-gray leaves that are tessellated with faint patterns.
The plant can attain a height of 20 centimeters, and leaves are from 10 to 14
centimeters long and 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters wide. Upper surfaces of leaves have
patterns reminiscent of a fuzzy chessboard, while the bottom surfaces are uniformly
light green. During bloom, an approximately 25 cm long inflorescence with a single
flower emerges. Petals with veins of green and purple have black warts covering their
edges and they curved in an s-shape.[3]
While the plant has been reported to flower at various strange times throughout the
year, it generally flowers between January and Apri

Paphiopedilum fowliei is found in the Philippine Islands on the southeast side of

Palawan Island.[1]
The plant often grows on leaf mould or detritus on limestone rocks. While it often
grows in bright light, the plant does not usually grow in direct sunlight, but will grow
well under fluorescent lights.[1][4] It usually grows at an elevation from 600 to 950
meters, and has a mean temperature range of 23 to 24 degrees Celsius.[5] The plant
prefers high humidity with sufficient air circulation.

10. Amyema Incarnatiflora Belonging to the family of Lorantacae, this particular

species calls the mountainous region of Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte as well as
the thick jungles of Cagayan province as its home. The bunch of slender pink flowers
is a beauty forming a shape of a half opern parasol.

11. Dillania Monantha this species is unique to the Philippines and produces only
a single flower. Monantha after all is derived from the Greek words mono (one)
and Anthos (flowers). The richly hued yellow thanks largely to the bottom colors
that resemble a spider.