Hemicloea species

Fact Box Species: Hemicloea species (identification derived from a Queensland Museum publication and on a Hemicloea plumea image shown by Mascord) Family: Gnaphosidae Body length: female: 11 mm male: 8 mm Habitat: Under loose bark in eucalypt forests Toxicity: Uncertain; may be aggressive when defending its egg sac so handle with caution

The male Underneath male Male palps Under young male

This species is typically brown to black in colour to match the bark it hides under. It has a flattened body with an elongate oval abdomen from which two pairs of wide-set spinnerets can be seen from above. The legs curve forward in a fashion somewhat similar to that seen among huntsman species.

Note that Hemicloea species can be seen to have three pairs of finger-like spinnerets when viewed from underneath whereas those members of the Family Trochanteriidae that resemble Hemicloea in overall appearance have two very short pairs of spinnerets and a central pair of parallel rows of silk-secreting spigots. In addition, the outer segments of the first two pairs of legs on the trochanteriids have visible spines whereas the legs of Hemicloea species only have some fine hairs.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Some trochanteriids, especially Morebilus fumosus and some related Rebilus and Morebilus species.