Leptonetids Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Tayshaneta anopica | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: |
Leptonetidae Simon, 1890 |
Diversity | |
21 genera, 365 species | |
Leptonetidae is a family of small spiders adapted to live in dark and moist places such as caves. [1] The family is relatively primitive having diverged around the Middle Jurassic period. [2] They were first described by Eugène Simon in 1890. [3]
Leptonetids are small, with most falling between 2 and 5mm in total length. [2] They are generally pale in color and feature a greenish or bluish shine due to microscopic texture on the cuticle of their exoskeleton. [1] Those species which have retained their eyes, have 6 eyes set in a distinctive pattern, with posterior pair set back from the others. If a spider from this family looses a leg, it usually separates between the patella and tibia rather than at the coxa/trochanter joint. [4]
Many live in caves or in leaf litter around the Mediterranean, and in Eurasia, Japan and southern North America. [5]
As of April 2022 [update], the World Spider Catalog accepted the following genera: [5]
Two genera have been moved to the family Archoleptonetidae: [6]
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link) CS1 maint: others (
link)
Leptonetids Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Tayshaneta anopica | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: |
Leptonetidae Simon, 1890 |
Diversity | |
21 genera, 365 species | |
Leptonetidae is a family of small spiders adapted to live in dark and moist places such as caves. [1] The family is relatively primitive having diverged around the Middle Jurassic period. [2] They were first described by Eugène Simon in 1890. [3]
Leptonetids are small, with most falling between 2 and 5mm in total length. [2] They are generally pale in color and feature a greenish or bluish shine due to microscopic texture on the cuticle of their exoskeleton. [1] Those species which have retained their eyes, have 6 eyes set in a distinctive pattern, with posterior pair set back from the others. If a spider from this family looses a leg, it usually separates between the patella and tibia rather than at the coxa/trochanter joint. [4]
Many live in caves or in leaf litter around the Mediterranean, and in Eurasia, Japan and southern North America. [5]
As of April 2022 [update], the World Spider Catalog accepted the following genera: [5]
Two genera have been moved to the family Archoleptonetidae: [6]
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link) CS1 maint: others (
link)