Tree trunk spider
Hersiliidae spider from Bangalore
The Hersiliidae are a common in the tropics and subtropics spider family from the order of spiders. The family includes 12 genera with around 159 species. The lifestyle varies greatly in the family. Some types of stones weave hanging nets, others live in trees and hunt actively for prey, which they cocoon after being caught with silk.
Features
The representatives of the Hersiliidae measure between five and ten millimeters. While some species are black and have a speckled pattern, others are golden brown to bright white.
The body shape is dominated by the posterior spinnerets, which are at the tree-dwelling species about as long as the abdomen (tummy ) itself. They have a cylindrical shape and run towards the tip slightly tapering. On the inside you have small tubes that are used for silk production. The abdomen itself is flat and the transition to the front body narrower than the rear. Moreover, it is covered with small, feather -like bristles. On the abdomen near the spinnerets also sit the openings of the tracheal system. The number of book lungs is two.
The top of the front body, the so-called carapace is ovate. On a small outgrowth of the carapace sit in two strongly curved rows arranged in eight eyes. The average pair of eyes of the front row, is usually greater than that of the rear. The bottom ( sternum) has a straight or slightly bent- forward edge. The chelicerae are occupied in some species with large and small teeth - however, other species have no teeth.
The legs are relatively long especially in the males. The third pair of legs is the shortest. It is also the only pair of legs whose tarsi are only eingliedrig and not, sometimes bipartite as with the other pairs of legs. On the tarsi there is also a nail, which has three Tarsalklauen. Also Tastsinnesorgane are present on the legs.
System
Inside systematics
The family is divided into the following twelve genera:
- Hersilia ( Audouin, 1826)
- Hersiliola ( Thorell, 1870)
- Iviraiva ( Rheims & Brescovit, 2004)
- Murricia (Simon, 1882)
- Neotama ( Baehr & Baehr, 1993)
- Prima Foord, 2008
- Promurricia ( Baehr & Baehr, 1993)
- Tama (Simon, 1882)
- Tamopsis ( Baehr & Baehr, 1987)
- Foord & Dippenaar - Schoeman Tyrotama, 2005
- Yabisi ( Rheims & Brescovit, 2004)
- Ypypuera ( Rheims & Brescovit, 2004)
Phylogenetics
Phylogenetically the Hersiliidae Oecobiidae are compared as a sister taxon. This group, in turn, is seen as a sister group of Eresidae. The complete cladogram to the level of true spiders is presented below:
Austrochiloidea
Palpimanoidae
Clade with canoe -shaped tapetum lucidum in the two suck
Eresidae
Oecobiidae
Hersiliidae
Paleocribellatae