Pelican spider

Fact Box Species: Austrarchaea species (M. Rix) Family: Archaeidae Body length: female: 3 mm male: 3 mm Habitat: This rainforest species lives in moss or damp leaf litter Toxicity: Probably harmless to humans

This spider closely resembles Austrarchaea nodosa but probably is a related but undescribed species.

Note the distinctive long 'neck' and vertical chelicerae this spider has, these resembling those of a pelican. The three pairs of projections on the upper surface of the abdomen are also of taxonomic value.

This small spider has sometimes been seen to hang inverted from a silken thread and to catch insects by 'spearing' them with its long chelicerae.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: None.