Plebs (spider)

Plebs is a genus of spider previously considered part of several other genera in the Araneidae family of orb-weaving spiders. In 2012 a taxonomic revision suggested that this was a distinct genus of closely related spiders. Genetic evidence supports the idea that this monophyletic genus evolved in Australia and through subsequent movements spread into parts of Asia and Pacific islands.

There are a total of 22 species in the genus. Seven are found in Australia, thirteen in Asia and, one endemic to New Caledonia and one endemic to Vanuatu.