Possible cyatholipid species

Fact Box Species: Possible cyatholipid (QM) (this may actually be a theridiid species since the Cyatholipidae and some Theridiidae have much in common: see notes at the bottom of this page) Family: Cyatholipidae Body length: female: 3-4 mm male: perhaps 2 mm Habitat: On or under leaves, though cyatholipids typically build a horizontal sheet web Toxicity: Too small to be capable of causing a human envenomation

Front view Side view Underside of spider

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: This spider closely resembles many of the common species within the Family Theridiidae and may in fact belong to this family. Separating the two families is difficult when the species in question is very small since some of the distinguishing characteristics cannot be seen clearly. In addition, there is considerable variation in the appearance of the species presently accepted as Australian cyatholipids. The spider shown on this page has the general appearance of a theridiid but when examined under a stereo microscope it does appear to have a broad slit-like tracheal spiracle on the underside of the abdomen just in front of the spinnerets, this being the most important characteristic of the Family Cyatholipidae. It has only a very thin, hair-like claw on the female palp and on the femur of Leg IV is a double row of prominent trichobothria (fine sensory hairs) which are not normally seen on theridiids.