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Prodidomidae

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Prodidomidae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Prodidomidae
Simon, 1884
Genera

See text.

Diversity
31 genera, 303 species

The Prodidomidae are a spider family with about 300 species in 31 genera. They are sometimes called long-spinneret ground spiders.

They are easily identified by the greatly elongated base of the piriform gland spigots. At least parts of their body are covered with shiny scales or setae. The posterior median eyes are flat and silvery, with a triangular, egg-shaped or irregularly rectangular shape.[1]

Biology

Prodidomidae are ground dwellers. Most species are nocturnal and hide during the day in litter, but Myandra, which are probably mimicking ants, seems to be active during the day.[1] The genus Zimiris is synanthropic and thus found throughout the tropics.

Distribution

Although Theuma walteri was described from Turkmenistan by Eugène Simon, it is suspected that Simon accidentally exchanged its locality with that of Anagraphis pallens (Gnaphosidae); then T. walteri would have been collected in the Cape of Good Hope, while A. pallens is from Turkmenistan.[2]

Systematics

The Prodidomidae are considered "higher gnaphosoids", together with the Lamponidae and Gnaphosidae. These share anterior lateral spinnerets consisting of only a single article, while the lower gnaphosoids retain a separate, complete distal article that is represented by an entire, subdistal ring of sclerotized cuticle.[2]

Genera

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Barbara Baehr: Prodidomidae
  2. ^ a b Platnick & Baehr 2006

References