Spelungula cavernicola

Spelungula cavernicola
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Suborder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gradungulidae
Genus: Spelungula
Forster, 1987
Species: S. cavernicola
Binomial name
Spelungula cavernicola
Forster, 1987

Spelungula cavernicola, or the Nelson cave spider, is a spider which is endemic to New Zealand. It has a 2.4 centimetres (0.94 in) body length and a leg span of up to 13 centimetres (5.1 in).

As of 1991 it is the only spider protected under the Wildlife Act.[1][2] It is classed as Range Restricted and stable in the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Faulls, D. (1991). "Eight legs, two fangs and an attitude". New Zealand Geographic (10): 68–96. 
  2. ^ Wildlife Act - Schedule 7 Terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates declared to be animals
  3. ^ Molloy, Janice; Bell, B.; Clout, M.; de Lange, P.; Gibbs, G.; Given, D.; Norton, D.; Smith, N.; Stephens, T. (2002). "Classifying species according to threat of extinction. A system for New Zealand" (pdf). Department of Conservation (New Zealand). http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSOP22.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-29. 

External links