Porrhothelidae

Common Name

Unknown

Overview

The family Porrhothelidae is an extinct family of spider-like arachnids. There is limited information available about this family as it is known only from fossil records.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom : Animalia
• Phylum : Arthropoda
• Class : Arachnida
• Order : Trigonotarbida
• Family : Porrhothelidae

Key Characteristics

• Fossils indicate that members of the Porrhothelidae family had a segmented abdomen similar to those of modern spiders, but they lacked the ability to spin silk.
• They possessed sturdy legs and a carapace similar to that of contemporary spiders.
• The chelicerae (mouthparts) were robust, suggesting a predatory lifestyle.

Life Cycle

Unknown

Behavior and Ecology

Unknown

Notable Species

Due to the limited fossil record, specific notable species within the family Porrhothelidae are not well-documented.

Conservation

As an extinct family, Porrhothelidae does not have conservation status or concerns.

Significance to Humans

While the Porrhothelidae family itself does not have direct significance to humans due to extinction, its study provides insights into the evolutionary history of arachnids, including modern spiders.

Fun Fact

• The Porrhothelidae family is part of an extinct order known as Trigonotarbida, which includes some of the earliest terrestrial predators.
• Trigonotarbids, including Porrhothelidae, lived approximately 380 to 290 million years ago.
• The fossilized remains of these creatures help scientists understand the transition of life forms from water to land environments.