Periegops

Periegops is a genus of spiders with six eyes instead of the usual eight.[1] It is the only genus in its family (Periegopidae) and has three described species.[2] It was long considered to be members of Sicariidae or Segestriidae until Raymond Forster elevated them to the family level in 1995.[3]

Periegops
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Periegopidae
Simon, 1893
Genera
Diversity
1 genera, 3 species

Taxonomy

Periegops was first described in 1893 by Eugene Simon from a specimen of P. hirsutus (A synonym of P. suterii).[4]

Description

This genus of spider has only six eyes, as opposed to eight, which is typical for spiders. Body length varies from 5.9mm to 10mm depending on species and sex. Carapace is an orange colour and is darker on the anterior side. Abdomen is brown or creamy brown and usually have a chevron pattern. The family can be distinguished by the pattern of eye positions, which are in three clusters of two eyes.[5]

Species

As of April 2019, the World Spider Catalog accepts the following species:[2]

  • Periegops Simon, 1893
    • Periegops australia Forster, 1995 — Australia (Queensland)
    • Periegops keani Vink, Dupérré & Malumbres-Olarte, 2013 — New Zealand (North Island)[5]
    • Periegops suterii (Urquhart, 1892) — New Zealand (South Island)

Habitat

Periegops occur in forest habitat, where there are deep leaf litter layers and well drained soil.[5]

Behaviour

No Periegops species has been observed creating webs for prey capture, but rather has been observed using silk to create drag lines and silk retreats. Periegops are likely all fast moving, nocturnal hunters.[5]

In P. suterii, females have been found with two to three males with them, which may imply that the female has a way of attracting males to them.[5]

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References
  1. Simon, E. (1893). Histoire naturelle das araignées. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.51973.
  2. "Family: Periegopidae Simon, 1893". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  3. Forster, R. R. (1995). "The Australian spider family Periegopidae Simon, 1893 (Araneae: Sicarioidea)". Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement. 52: 91–105.
  4. Simon, E. (1893a). Histoire naturelle das araignées. Paris 1, 257-488. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.51973
  5. Vink, C.J.; Dupérré, N.; Malumbres-Olarte, J. (2013). "Periegopidae (Arachnida: Araneae)". Fauna of New Zealand. 70: 15.
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