| Clitaetra | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Suborder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Nephilidae |
| Genus: | Clitaetra Simon, 1889 |
| Species | |
|
See text |
|
| Diversity | |
| 6 species | |
Clitaetra is the least known of the four currently recognised nephilid spider genera. It occurs in Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka, hinting to a Gondwanan origin. The split between Clitaetra and other nephilids may be as old as 160 million years.[1]
The smallest species (C. thisbe) reaches 3.5 mm in female length, the biggest species can be as long as one centimeter.
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The etymology of the genus name is unknown.[1]