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Gradungulidae
Gradungulidae, also known as large-clawed spiders, is a spider family endemic to Australia and New Zealand. They are medium to large-sized haplogyne spiders with three claws and two pairs of book-lungs similar to Mygalomorphae. Some species build extensive webs with an upper retreat tangle and connecting threads to scaffolding. This supports the ladder-like catching platform that is glued to the ground. '' Hickmania'', ''Progradungula'' (a large spider with long legs like ''Hickmania'',), and ''Macrogradungula'' are the only cribellate genera of the family. Species '' Gradungula'' Gertsch, 1958 * '' Gradungula sorenseni'' Forster, 1955 — New Zealand '' Hickmania'' Forster, 1955 * '' Hickmania troglodytes'' (Higgins & Petterd, 1883) — Tasmania '' Kaiya'' Gray, 1987 * '' Kaiya bemboka'' Gray, 1987 — New South Wales * '' Kaiya brindabella'' (Moran, 1985) — Australian Capital Territory * '' Kaiya parnabyi'' Gray, 1987 — Victoria * '' Kaiya terama'' Gray, 1987 (type spec ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Progradungula Otwayensis
''Progradungula otwayensis'', commonly known as the Otway odd-clawed spider, is a species of cribellate spider endemic to the Great Otway National Park of Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. It is one of only three species in the Gradungulidae, gradungulid genus ''Progradungula''. Odd-clawed spiders are medium-sized to large spiders, with an approximate body length of and a leg span of . They are lightly pigmented, from yellowish brown to light mauvish gray, with three chevron markings on the rear upper part of their Spider anatomy#Abdomen, abdomen. Like other gradungulids, their legs are tipped with three claws. These claws are particularly well-developed on the first and second leg pairs and are used for latching unto prey. They are ambush predators, building characteristic ladder-shaped snares close to the ground. They stand head-down on these webs waiting for prey which they then scoop up into these webs to trap them. Taxonomy Odd-clawed spiders were first described ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
