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Atypus

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Atypus
A. karschi
Scientific classification
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Atypus

Latreille, 1804
Species

A.affinis
A. karschi
A. muralis
A. piceus
many more, see text

Diversity
29 species

Atypus or Purse web spiders[1] is a genus of mygalomorph spiders. It occurs in Eurasia, with one species (A. affinis) reaching into North Africa, and one species (A. snetsingeri) in the USA. Only three of the described species occur in Europe: A. piceus, A. affinis and A. muralis.

Peasants in the southern Carpathian Mountains used to cut up tubes built by Atypus and cover wounds with the inner lining. It reportedly facilitated healing, and even connected with the skin. This is believed to be due to antiseptic properties of spider silk (which is made of protein).[2]

Identification features

They are three-clawed, medium to large sized spiders with eight eyes. They have six spinnerets with the median spinneret truncated. The prolateral side of the maxillae are elongated. The cephalic side of the cephalothorax is elevated. They have large chelicerae with long and thin fangs. The male sternum has marginal ridges.[1].

Species

Notes

  1. ^ a b Sebastin, PA & KV Peter (eds). (2009). Spiders of India. Universities Press. ISBN 978-81-7371-641-6
  2. ^ Heimer, S. (1988). Wunderbare Welt der Spinnen. Urania. p.14

References

  • Platnick, Norman I. (2009): The world spider catalog, version 9.5. American Museum of Natural History.