Biology:Tartarus (spider)

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Short description: Genus of spiders

Tartarus
Mullamullang Spider detail.jpg
Tartarus mullamullangensis
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Stiphidiidae
Genus: Tartarus
Gray, 1973
Species

See text

Diversity
4 species

Tartarus is a genus of spiders in the family Stiphidiidae.[1] All four described species are found in cave systems of Western Australia.[2] These are located in the karst area of the Nullarbor Plain. They are likely relict species from a time when the region was much more humid, given the fact that the other members of the family Stiphidiidae in Southern Australia live in forests.

Names

The genus name is derived from Tartarus, a place in the underworld of Greek mythology, even lower than Hades. All four species take their common names, and the specific epithet, from the caves in which they were first collected.

Tartarus murdochensis and Tartarus thampannensis are both commonly called Murdoch sink cave spider, Tartarus nurinensis is also known as the Nurina cave spider.

Species

References

  • Burbidge, Andrew A (2004). Threatened animals of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. ISBN 0-7307-5549-5. 

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q3515845 entry