Troglodiplura is a genus of Australian Anamidae spiders. Formerly monotypic, in 2020, four new species were added to the genus.[2][3] The genus and type species, Troglodiplura lowryi, were first described by Barbara York Main in 1969. The genus has only been found in Australia,[1][4] within the caves of the Nullarbor Plain.[2]
| Troglodiplura | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Anamidae |
| Genus: | Troglodiplura Main, 1969[1] |
The genus is considered one of the worlds most troglomorphic spiders with every species known lacking eyes and having elongated appendages.[2] Troglodiplura differs from other genera in the Anamidae family by having an almost round carapace, by having no eyes, and by the male's having a longer palpal tarsus.[2]
Threats
editT. lowryi is listed as "Vulnerable" under the Western Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. However, this assessment was prior to the work of Mark Harvey and Michael Rix who state that all species of Troglodiplura would qualify as "Endangered" or "Critically Endangered" under IUCN Criterion B (‘Geographic Range’). Additionally, some Nullarbor caves are experiencing major threats from human activities, with speleological features being damaged; animals and their homes being trampled and altered hydrological regimes due to changes in surface vegetation communities, and groundwater pollution.[2]
Species
editAs of October 2021[update], the World Spider Catalog accepted the following species:[1]
- Troglodiplura beirutpakbarai Harvey & Rix, 2020 – Australia (South Australia)
- Troglodiplura challeni Harvey & Rix, 2020 – Australia (Western Australia)
- Troglodiplura harrisi Harvey & Rix, 2020 – Australia (Western Australia)
- Troglodiplura lowryi Main, 1969 (type species) – Australia (Western Australia)
- Troglodiplura samankunani Harvey & Rix, 2020 – Australia (Western Australia)
References
edit- ^ a b c "Gen. Troglodiplura Main, 1969". World Spider Catalog Version 20.0. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
- ^ a b c d e Mark S. Harvey; Michael G. Rix; Mia J. Hillyer; Joel A. Huey (2020). "The systematics and phylogenetic position of the troglobitic Australian spider genus Troglodiplura (Araneae : Mygalomorphae), with a new classification for Anamidae". Invertebrate Systematics. 34 (8): 799. doi:10.1071/IS20034. ISSN 1445-5226. Wikidata Q110542637.
- ^ "Australian Faunal Directory: Names List for Troglodiplura Main, 1969". biodiversity.org.au. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
- ^ Main, B. Y. (1969). "A blind mygalomorph spider from a Nullarbor Plain cave". Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 52: 9–11.