Periegops keani

Periegops keani is a species of spider in the genus Periegops that is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand.[1][2]

Periegops keani
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Periegopidae
Genus: Periegops
Species:
P. keani
Binomial name
Periegops keani
Vink, Dupérré & Malumbres-Olarte, 2013


Taxonomy

Periegops keani was described in 2013. The species is named after John Kean, who helped collect type specimens.[1]

Description

Like other members of the Periegops genus, P. keani has six eyes. The carapace is a red-orange colour on the anterior end but is orange on the posterior end. The abdomen is creamy brown and has a faint chevron pattern. The first pair of legs are orange brown with light orange ends, the other pairs of legs are yellow brown and darker at the proximal end. Chelicerae are red brown.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Periegops keani occurs in forests with deep leaf litter layers and well drained soil. P. keani is only known from the East Cape and the Alderman Islands of New Zealand.[1]

Behaviour

The species isn't known to build webs for prey capture, but rather web is used as drag lines and to build silk retreats. The related P. suterii is likely a fast moving nocturnal hunter.[1]

References
  1. Vink, C. J.; Dupérré, N.; Malumbres-Olarte, J. (2013). "Periegopidae (Arachnida: Araneae)". Fauna of New Zealand. 70.
  2. "Oldstyle id: 756a51986990dfe1e6208a43b79e360f". Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.