Porrhothele
Encyclopedia
Porrhothele is a spider
genus
with five described species
, all endemic to New Zealand
.
Before 1980, this genus was considered to belong to the family Dipluridae
.
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
with five described species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, all endemic to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Before 1980, this genus was considered to belong to the family Dipluridae
Dipluridae
Funnel-web tarantulas , are a group of spiders in the infraorder Mygalomorphae, that have two pairs of booklungs, and chelicerae that move up and down in a stabbing motion...
.
Species
- Porrhothele antipodianaPorrhothele antipodianaThe black tunnelweb spider, Porrhothele antipodiana, is a spider found throughout much of New Zealand and the Chatham Islands in bush and gardens. Males are often found indoors during spring and summer when they leave their burrows to find mates. When found inside, they are typically near a source...
(Walckenaer, 1837) - Porrhothele blanda Forster, 1968
- Porrhothele moana Forster, 1968
- Porrhothele modesta Forster, 1968
- Porrhothele quadrigyna Forster, 1968