Family TETRABLEMMIDAE O.P.-Cambridge, 1873

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Introduction

In Victoria tetrablemmids are found in crevices of eucalyptus bark. Undescribed species have been found in litter in both sclerophyll and rainforest areas of Queensland and in monsoon forest of the Northern Territory. An undescribed Ablemma sp. has been collected in north Queensland (Harvey, M. pers. comm.).

Diagnosis

Minute to tiny (up to 2mm) haplogyne litter spiders. Eyes absent or only 4; sternum posteriorly reaches between coxae IV; joined to cephalothorax by intercoxal sclerites between all coxae. Abdomen laterally with 3 or more extensive scutes; dorsal scute covers all or most of dorsum; ventral scute covers all or most of venter with 2 or more plates, extends around pedicel; pedicel entirely sclerotised and inserted at ventral scutum. Spinnerets encircled by sclerotised ring.

Diagnosis References

Raven, R.J., Baehr, B.C. & Harvey, M.S. 2002. An Interactive Key to Australian Spider Subfamilies. Melbourne : Australian Biological Resources Study: CSIRO Publishing.

History of changes