Pianoa

Pianoa is a monotypic genus of large-clawed spiders endemic to New Zealand. It contains a single species, Pianoa isolata, known commonly as the piano flat spider.

Pianoa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gradungulidae
Genus: Pianoa
Forster, 1987[1]
Species:
P. isolata
Binomial name
Pianoa isolata
Forster, 1987

It was first described by Raymond Robert Forster, Norman I. Platnick & Michael R. Gray in 1987.[2][3]

Distribution

The piano flat spider is found throughout the Waikaia Forest and at other locations in northern Southland and west Otago.[4]

Description

Juveniles are pale white with no markings, but develop pigmentation after several molts.[2]

Egg sacs are pale cream or white in colour.[2]

Habitat

P. isolata has been observed living in leaf litter and rotting logs on the forest floor.[5][6]

Behaviour & Diet

The piano flat spider is nocturnal. It is an active hunter and does not build a web, instead using a large claw on the end of its first and second legs to seize prey, which it bites repeatedly.[4][7]

Egg-sacs are laid in the cavities of fallen logs in late spring to early summer. After three to four weeks, juveniles emerge from a small hole at the base of the egg-sac.[8]

Conservation

The piano flat spider is classified as At Risk (Relict) by the Department of Conservation.[9]

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References
  1. Gloor, Daniel; Nentwig, Wolfgang; Blick, Theo; Kropf, Christian (2019). "Gen. Pianoa Forster, 1987". World Spider Catalog Version 20.0. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
  2. Forster, R. R.; Platnick, N. I.; Gray, M. R. (1987). "A review of the spider superfamilies Hypochiloidea and Austrochiloidea (Araneae, Araneomorphae)". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 185: 1–116.
  3. "NMBE - World Spider Catalog". wsc.nmbe.ch. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  4. "New Zealand Invertebrates - Rod Morris". www.rodmorris.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  5. "Waikaia, Southern Coast, New Zealand". www.visit-newzealand.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  6. Piano Flat and Waikaia Forest. http://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/southland/pianof-waikaiaforest.pdf: Department of Conservation. 2001.
  7. Noted. "Passport to Waikaia: Southland's slice of paradise". www.noted.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  8. Forster, Raymond R.; Platnick, Norman I.; Gray, Michael R. (1987). "A review of the spider superfamilies Hypochiloidea and Austrochiloidea (Araneae, Araneomorphae). Bulletin of the AMNH ; v. 185, article 1". hdl:2246/969. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. Sirvid, P. J.; Vink, C. J.; Wakelin, M. D.; Fitzgerald, B. M.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (July 2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Araneae". New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 85–90. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686310. ISSN 0077-9962.


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