Hahniid species

Fact Box Species: Hahniid species (QM) (perhaps an Alistra species but the Australian hahniids need revision) Family: Hahniidae Body length: female: 3 mm male: 2 mm Habitat: Under loose bark or in leaf litter; the spider does not appear to make a web except for egg laying Toxicity: This spider is much too small to harm a human and the opportunities for an accidental biting are very limited

Underneath female Another specimen The matching male? Underneath male Male, side view Oblique view Male, front view Adult female

This small species is rarely seen although members of the same family are said to be present over a large part of Australia. The main distinguishing feature of all hahniid species is the presence of 6 spinnerets in an almost straight line across the underside of the abdomen. The centre pair are the shortest and the outermost pair are the longest and tend to curve inwards at their ends.

Hahniids are somewhat similar in appearance to members of the Family Gnaphosidae (Subfamily Drassodinae) except that these gnaphosids, when viewed from underneath, have a row of only four spinnerets (the outer pair of which are large and cylindrical) with two more spinnerets clearly behind them. It is possible the spider presented on this page is actually a gnaphosid species but its overall appearance is very similar to that of known hahniids found in other parts of the world.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: At least some members of the Family Gnaphosidae.