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Deinopis

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Deinopis
Deinopis subrufa
Scientific classification
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Deinopis

Macleay, 1839
Species

D. longipes
D. ravida
D. subrufa
 Many others, see text.

Diversity
46 species
Synonyms[1]

Dinopsis Macleay, 1839 – orthographic variant

Deinopis is a genus of spiders known as net-casting spiders, gladiator spiders and ogre-faced spiders.[2] Its distribution is widely tropical and subtropical. They catch their prey using a specially spun "net".

Name

The genus name is derived from the Greek deinos "fearful" and opis "appearance"; see also the family name "ogre-faced" spiders.

The spelling Dinopis is also found, but this is regarded as "an unjustified emendation".[1]

Net-casting

Spiders in the genus Deinopis catch their prey in an unusual fashion. They first spin a small upright rectangular cribellate web. This is then detached from its supporting threads and held horizontally above the ground by the spider's long front two pairs of legs while the spider hangs almost vertically. Passing prey is then captured by dropping the "net" over it.[2]

Species

References

  1. ^ a b "Gen. Deinopis MacLeay, 1839", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2015-09-28
  2. ^ a b Leong, T.M.; Foo, S.K. (2009), "An encounter with the net-casting spider, Deinopis species in Singapore (Araneae: Deinopidae)" (PDF), Nature in Singapore, 2: 247–255, retrieved 2015-09-28 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |lastauthoramp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)