Gradungula
Genus of spiders
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gradungula is a monotypic genus of South Pacific large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Gradungula sorenseni. It is only found in New Zealand.[1]
| Gradungula | |
|---|---|
| |
| Gradungula sorenseni | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gradungulidae |
| Genus: | Gradungula Forster, 1955[1] |
| Species: | G. sorenseni |
| Binomial name | |
| Gradungula sorenseni Forster, 1955 | |
Etymology
The genus name is derived from Latin gradus "step" and ungula "claw", referring to the enlarged front leg claws of this species. These claws also occur in other species of the family Gradungulidae.[citation needed] The species is named after Jack Sorensen, the discoverer of the species.[2]
Taxonomy
Gradungula sorenseni was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1955.[3]
Distribution
Gradungula sorenseni is distributed in forests throughout the western South Island of New Zealand and throughout Stewart Island. [4]
