Family DIPLURIDAE Simon, 1889

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Introduction

The Dipuridae are builders of large silken entrances to burrows that often follow existing crevices and other spaces; originally they included the Nemesiidae and Hexathelidae. However, the former were given family status in a revision of the infraroder Mygalomorphae (Raven 1985) and the latter by Raven (1980). The Dipluridae include one of the smallest Australian mygalomorphs, Masteria toddae Raven, 1979, a species that is widespread in upland and lowland rainforest of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in Queensland. The diplurids are one of the few spider groups that have successfully learnt to feed on snails.

Diagnosis

Differ from Hexathelidae and Nemesiidae in the very flat caput, the 4 spinnerets, claws with one row of teeth, few or no cuspules on the labium, and the elongate and widely spaced posterior lateral spinnerets.
Mygalomorph spiders with carapace very low and hirsute. Four spinnerets; posterior lateral spinnerets elongate. Maxillary serrula present, distinct. Three claws; numerous teeth on paired claws.

Diagnosis References

Raven, R.J. 1985. The spider infraorder Mygalomorphae (Araneae): Cladistics and Systematics. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 182(1): 1-180 [Date published December 5, 1985] [72]

History of changes