Anapidae

Simon, 1895

Ground Orb-web Spiders

Anapidae is a of minute containing approximately 233 extant in 59 , with most measuring less than 2 mm in body length. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, incorporating the former families Micropholcommatidae and Holarchaeidae as . Members are primarily ground-dwelling inhabitants of moist forest , where many species construct diminutive webs less than 3 cm in diameter. The group exhibits remarkable anatomical despite extreme miniaturization, retaining complete organ systems and musculature that comparable-sized often reduce or lose.

Gertschanapis by (c) Toby, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Toby. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anapidae: //ænəˈpaɪdiː//

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Identification

Anapids are distinguished from other small araneoid by a combination of minute size (typically <2 mm), absence of a , and presence of a labial visible between spread . number is variable and diagnostically useful: most possess six or eight eyes, but some have zero eyes (e.g., the subterranean *Epigastrina typhlops*) and others show reduced or absent rear . The may be modified to elevate the eyes above the usual position. Chelicerae generally bear on both margins, though *Acrobleps hygrophilus* uniquely lacks teeth. Legs are short and typically spineless, though some (*Teutoniella*, *Borneanapis*) show reduced or modified spination. Female are reduced to coxal stumps in some species such as *Pseudanapis parocula*.

Images

Habitat

Moist ground-level in forested environments, particularly leaf litter and moss layers of rainforest floors. Some occupy hygrophilous (moisture-loving) microhabitats near water sources such as waterfalls. Elevation records span 595–1314 m in mountainous regions of Asia.

Distribution

Pantropical and southern temperate distribution with concentration in South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Sparse representation in northern temperate zones: Europe contains only *Comaroma simoni* and three *Zangherella* ; North America is limited to *Gertschanapis shantzi* and *Comaroma mendocino* in the United States. Asian records include China (Tibet, Yunnan, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian), Laos, and Vietnam.

Behavior

Many construct small webs with diameters less than 3 cm. Web architecture shows evolutionary reduction or complete loss in some lineages (e.g., *Acrobleps*), representing derived conditions rather than retention of ancestral states. The identical bi-dimensional webs of *Elanapis* and symphytognathid have evolved independently. One species, *Sofanapis antillanca*, has been documented as a of austrochiline spiders.

Similar Taxa

MysmenidaeFormerly included *Acrobleps* due to superficial morphological similarities; distinguished by absence of diagnostic anapid features including typical labral structure and specific modifications
Symphytognathidae of bi-dimensional webs and similar minute size; web architecture evolved independently and differs in detailed construction; symphytognathids lack the labial characteristic of anapids
Micropholcommatidae (as subfamily Micropholcommatinae)Now synonymized within Anapidae; previously recognized as distinct but molecular and morphological data support placement