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 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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
editThe piano flat spider is found throughout the Waikaia Forest and at other locations in northern Southland and west Otago.[4]
Description
editJuveniles are pale white with no markings, but develop pigmentation after several molts.[2]
Egg sacs are pale cream or white in colour.[2]
Habitat
editP. isolata has been observed living in leaf litter and rotting logs on the forest floor.[5][6]
Behaviour and diet
editThe 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
editThe piano flat spider is classified as At Risk (Relict) by the Department of Conservation.[9]
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ "NMBE - World Spider Catalog". wsc.nmbe.ch. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ a b "New Zealand Invertebrates - Rod Morris". www.rodmorris.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ "Waikaia, Southern Coast, New Zealand". www.visit-newzealand.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Piano Flat and Waikaia Forest (PDF). Department of Conservation. 2001.
- ^ Noted. "Passport to Waikaia: Southland's slice of paradise". www.noted.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ^ Forster, Raymond R.; Platnick, Norman I.; Gray, Michael R. (1987). "A review of the spider superfamilies Hypochiloidea and Austrochiloidea (Araneae, Araneomorphae)". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 185. hdl:2246/969.
- ^ 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. Bibcode:2012NZEnt..35...85S. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686310. ISSN 0077-9962. S2CID 84574921.
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