Family CLUBIONIDAE Wagner, 1887

Museums

Regional Maps

Introduction

Typically light-coloured nocturnal spiders found under bark or in the vegetation. The Australian fauna is dominated by the apparently highly speciose but undescribed species of the genus Clubiona which genus, like Oxyopes, is thought to be beneficial in reducing insect crop pests. The genus Cheiracanthium is included here as its nominate inclusion in the Miturgidae for which cladistic support is presently lacking is contradicted by cladograms.

Diagnosis

Clubionidae are recognised by the following: 2 claws only; dense true claw tufts at least on leg IV; 8 eyes of similar size and from above in 2 weakly curved rows, with posterior median eyes circular; maxillae strongly narrowed at their mid-point; legs prograde; and tracheal spiracle near the spinnerets and apical segment of posterior lateral spinnerets variable.

History of changes