Agelenidae

Tegenaria atrica

The funnel spiders ( Agelenidae ) are a family of real spiders. They include about 500 species and are distributed worldwide.

Network construction and behavior of the funnel spiders

The family was named after the shape of its network. Funnel spiders weave a living cave, the funnel-shaped narrowing of the entrance to the center and has two outputs. The animals spend most of their time within this living cave, which they leave usually only if they sold or the lair was destroyed, or when they visit from out of a new place, eg due to prolonged lack of food. An exception is made for the males who leave their caves during the mating season and often go on longer forays to find a female. The hunt, the funnel spiders is relatively uniform. They remain motionless in their cave dwelling, or in the input, thereby laid their front pairs of legs groping on the net. To prey approaches the tense of the cave dwelling or from the ceiling web of tentacles, or get tangled up in it, the funnel spiders run nimbly from the net and take the loot with which they withdraw in case of success then immediately return to their hideout to them there to consume.

The Labyrinth spider ( Agelena labyrinthica ) weaves blankets networks preferably in grass or low bushes. Frequently funnel spiders weave their webs in hard to reach hiding places, such as niches and corners of walls. Virtually all species are very sensitive and have a relatively good sense of what made ​​it a subject of study of physiology.

Special Features

In addition to their typical networks funnel spiders are easily recognized by their long and strong, hairy legs, as well as the significant spinnerets. The two outer of the six spinnerets under the abdomen protrude out ( opisthosoma ). The eight eyes are arranged in two superposed transverse rows.

Genera of the funnel spiders

In Europe so far 24 species of funnel spiders were detected in at least 10 genera. The most species-rich genera are Agelena and Tegenaria (angle spinning), the latter to include the frequently encountered Large angles spider ( house spider ). With regard to the taxonomy of the funnel spiders there, as in the entire Arachnologie, contradictory and constantly changing views and information.

Genera of the family of the funnel spiders with species in Europe:

• Agelena (Asia, Africa, Europe)
• Allagelena ( Central Europe, Mediterranean to Central Asia )
• Agelescape ( Mediterranean )
• Aterigena Bolzern, Hänggi & Burckhardt, 2010 ( from the Tegenaria - Malthonica Group outsourced )
• Hadites ( Balkans)
• Histopona ( Central Europe)
• Maimuna ( South East Europe - Middle East )
• Malthonica (Europe and Balearic Islands)
• Pseudotegenaria (the Balkans, the species were in 2010 integrated in the genus Tegenaria )
• Tegenaria ( Europe, Central Asia, the Americas )
• Textrix (Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa)

Furthermore, are known worldwide and in all regions except the Arctic regions, currently about 34 other genera.

Confusion

In Australia there are beyond species that sometimes the trivial name Funnel - web spider ( "funnel (network ) spider " ) are referred to. Some of them are among the most poisonous spiders in the world, but they have not come from Agelenidae family. These are species of the genera Atrax and Hadronyche from the family Hexathelidae, which are more closely related to spiders and trapdoor spiders (see: Mygalomorphae ).