Pachygnatha
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| Pachygnatha | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Pachygnatha clercki | |
 | |
| male P. listeri | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Tetragnathidae |
| Genus: | Pachygnatha Sundevall, 1823[1] |
| Type species | |
| P. clercki Sundevall, 1823 | |
| Species | |
|
44, see text | |
Pachygnatha is a genus of long-jawed orb-weavers that was first described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1823.[2]
Spiders in this genus are found in Eurasia, Africa and North America.[1]
Life style
Pachygnatha species are typically found close to the ground in leaf litter, hollow plant stems, under stones, dead wood, or leaves. They are usually more numerous in damp areas.[3]
Adult spiders are secondarily webless, with only immature spiders constructing orb webs.[3]
African species
Very little is known about the biology and behaviour of Afrotropical species. Studies have shown that Pachygnatha species are found mainly in the lower litter layer, with Pachygnatha leleupi being the most common species. This species occurs throughout equatorial Africa at high altitudes, from Cameroon to Malawi. Specimens were much more abundant where water was available.[3]
