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Liphistius

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Liphistius
undetermined Liphistius species
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Suborder: Mesothelae
Family: Liphistiidae
Genus: Liphistius
Schiødte, 1849[1]
Species

69.

Liphistius is a genus of basal trapdoor spiders in the family Liphistiidae. They are found in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy

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The genus Liphistius was erected by Jørgen M. C. Schiødte in 1849.[1] Schiødte spelt the name Lipistius;[2] this was corrected to Liphistius by Tamerlan Thorell in 1869, a change endorsed by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature in 1970.[3] Liphistius is from Greek λείπω, lipo ('lack') and ἱστός, histos ('web' in this context).[4]

Biology

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Female body lengths range from 9 to 29 mm (0.35 to 1.14 in); males are slightly smaller. They live in burrows in earthen banks, on some cave walls, and probably in forests. The burrow is sealed with a thin, circular, woven door, which is disguised with soil and moss. While they spend the day deep inside their burrows, at night they wait just below the door for insects, woodlice, and similar invertebrates that stumble over one of the seven silken threads that radiate from the entrance. With a reluctance to leave their burrows, they push up the door and reach for their prey.[5]

Species

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As of 2023, the World Spider Catalog accepts 69 species:[1]

LLiphistius pyinoolwin: A – microhabitat, B – a burrow with two trapdoors closed, C – same with trapdoors opened, D – female, E – male; Liphistius birmanicus: F – microhabitat, G – burrow with trapdoor closed, H – same with trapdoor opened, I – female, J – male; scale bar: 2 mm (D)

Threatened Malaysian species

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Three of the Liphistius species known to exist in Malaysia are endemic to only one or two caves. The most well known is Liphistius batuensis, which is found in Batu Caves.[6] It is endangered, with a population of under 250 individuals. Other species found in Malaysia include Liphistius malayanus, Liphistius murphyorum and Liphistius desultor. The Malaysian trapdoor spiders are protected by local law, though continuous threats come from loss of habitat and collection by exotic pet traders. [7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Gen. Liphistius Schiödte, 1849", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2021-06-16
  2. ^ Schiødte, J. C. (1849), "Om en afvigende Slægt af Spindlernes Orden", Naturhistorisk Tidsskrift (2) (in Danish and Latin), 2 (6): 617–624 – via World Spider Catalog
  3. ^ "Gen. Liphistius Schiödte, 1849", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2024-04-25
  4. ^ "Naturhistorisk tidsskrift". 1837.
  5. ^ Murphy, Frances & Murphy, John (2000): An Introduction to the Spiders of South East Asia. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur.
  6. ^ Price, Liz (2014). "Cave fauna 5 - Liphistius". Archived from the original on 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
  7. ^ Lim, T.W.; Yussof, S.S. (2009-01-01). "(PDF) Conservation status of the batu caves trapdoor spider (Liphistius batuensis Abraham (Araneae, Mesothelae)): A preliminary survey". Malayan Nature Journal. 61 (2): 121–132. ISSN 0025-1291. Retrieved 2024-06-10.

Further reading

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  • Platnick, Norman I. & Sedgewick, W.C. (1984): A revision of the spider genus Liphistius (Araneae, Mesothelae). American Museum Novitates, (New York), No 2781, 31pp.
  • Whitten, T., Clements, R. & Price, L. 2013. Liphistius kanthan. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 6 July 2013.
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