Kingdom Animalia Infraorder Araneomorphae Scientific name Anyphaenidae Higher classification Dictynoidea Order Spider | Subphylum Chelicerata Superfamily Dictynoidea Phylum Arthropoda Rank Family | |
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Lower classifications Anyphaena, Wulfila | ||
Ghost spiders anyphaenidae
Anyphaenidae is a family araneomorph spiders, sometimes called anyphaenid sac spiders. They are distinguished from the sac spiders of the family Clubionidae and other spiders by having the abdominal spiracle placed one third to one half of the way anterior to the spinnerets toward the epigastric furrow on the underside of the abdomen. In most spiders the spiracle is just anterior to the spinnerets. Like [clubionids, anyphaenids have eight eyes arranged in two rows, conical anterior spinnerets and are wandering predators that build silken retreats, or sacs, usually on plant terminals, between leaves, under bark or under rocks. There are more than 500 species in over 50 genera worldwide.
Contents
The family is widespread and includes such common genera as Anyphaena (worldwide except tropical Africa and Asia) and Hibana (New World). Only one species (A. accentuata) occurs in northwestern Europe.
Species in the latter genus are important predators in several agricultural systems, especially tree crops. They are able to detect and feed on insect eggs, despite their poor eyesight. They share this ability at least with some miturgid spiders.
Systematics
The categorization into subfamilies follows Joel Hallan.[1]
