Pianoa

Genus of spiders From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pianoa is a monotypic genus of large-clawed spiders endemic to New Zealand. It contains a single species, Pianoa isolata, known commonly as the piano flat spider.

Phylum:Arthropoda
Subphylum:Chelicerata
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Quick facts Scientific classification, Binomial name ...
Pianoa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gradungulidae
Genus: Pianoa
Forster, 1987[1]
Species:
P. isolata
Binomial name
Pianoa isolata
Forster, 1987
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It was first described by Raymond Robert Forster, Norman I. Platnick & Michael R. Gray in 1987.[2][1]

Distribution

The piano flat spider is found throughout the Waikaia Forest and at other locations in northern Southland and west Otago.[3]

Description

Juveniles are pale white with no markings, but develop pigmentation after several molts.[2]

Egg sacs are pale cream or white in colour.[2]

Habitat

P. isolata has been observed living in leaf litter and rotting logs on the forest floor.[4][5]

Behaviour and diet

The piano flat spider is nocturnal. It is an active hunter and does not build a web, instead using a large claw on the end of its first and second legs to seize prey, which it bites repeatedly.[3][6]

Egg-sacs are laid in the cavities of fallen logs in late spring to early summer. After three to four weeks, juveniles emerge from a small hole at the base of the egg-sac.[7]

Conservation

The piano flat spider is classified as At Risk (Relict) by the Department of Conservation.[8]

References

External links

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