Atypidae
Atypidae, also known as atypical tarantulas or purseweb spiders, is a spider family containing only three genus, genera. They are accomplished ambush predators that spend most of their time in a sock-like, silken retreat on the ground from where they kill their prey. Distribution ''Sphodros'' and ''Atypus'' occur in North America, while ''Atypus'' and ''Calommata'' occur in Asia and Africa. Only ''Atypus'' species are found in Europe. ''Atypus affinis'', ''Atypus muralis'', and ''Atypus piceus'' are the only Mygalomorphae, mygalomorph spiders found in Central Europe. Biology ''Atypus'' builds a spider silk, silken tube parallel to the surface of the ground. While up to 8 cm of the tube lie on the ground, about 20 cm are buried vertically. The spider rests at the bottom of the tube. When prey walks on the exposed part, the spider, alerted by the vibrations, stabs the prey through the silk, cuts the web and drags the prey inside to be eaten. ''Calommata'' species, instead ...
[...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]