Spelungula
Template:Short description Template:Use New Zealand English Template:Speciesbox
Spelungula is a monotypic genus of South Pacific large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Spelungula cavernicola, or the Nelson cave spider.[1]
Taxonomy
This species was described in 1987 by Ray Forster from specimens collected in caves around Nelson.[2] The holotype is stored at Te Papa Museum under registration number AS.000014.[3]
Etymology
The genus name is derived from "spelunca", which is latin for cave and is feminine in gender. The species name "cavernicola" refers to the species restriction to caves.[2]
Description
It is New Zealand's largest known spider, with a leg span of Script error: No such module "convert". and a body length of Script error: No such module "convert"., and its main prey is cave weta.[4][5]
Distribution/habitat
This species is only known from caves in northwestern Nelson, New Zealand.[2]
Conservation status
It is one of the few spider species afforded legal protection under the New Zealand Wildlife Act.[6][7] It is classified as "Range Restricted" and stable in the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[8]
In May 2022, the Crazy Paving Cave in Kahurangi National Park, where the spiders are known to breed, was closed for a year in an attempt to help the population to recover.[9]
Gallery
See also
References
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