Anapistula
Gertsch, 1941
Anapistula is a of minute araneomorph in the Symphytognathidae, established by Gertsch in 1941. The genus comprises 28 described distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, South America, and Europe. Members exhibit diverse preferences: approximately 18 species occur in leaf litter, soil, and mosses, while seven are obligate cave-dwellers (troglobites) and one inhabits cave entrances. The genus includes some of the smallest spiders known, with A. ataecina from Portugal representing both the first European record of the family and one of the smallest described spider species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Anapistula: //ˌænəˈpɪstʊlə//
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Habitat
Caves (troglobitic ), leaf litter, soil, and mosses. Seven are obligate cave-dwellers; one species occurs at cave entrances. The Portuguese species A. ataecina is restricted to the Frade Cave System.
Distribution
Asia: China (Hainan, Guizhou, Yunnan), Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia. South America: Brazil (including Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete). Europe: Portugal (Frade Cave System), representing the first European record of the .
Behavior
A. ataecina constructs a sheet-like web, a structure atypical for both the Symphytognathidae and the .
Human Relevance
The Frade Cave System in Portugal, of A. ataecina, is partly endangered by limestone quarrying activities.
Similar Taxa
- SymphytognathaSymphytognathidae member with which Anapistula shares minute body size and reduced ; Anapistula distinguished by specific genitalic structures and web architecture in known
- PatuAnother symphytognathid of extremely small ; differentiation requires examination of male and female
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Systematic notes on three troglobitic Anapistula (Araneae, Symphytognathidae) spiders from China, with the descriptions of two new species
- First record of the spider family Symphytognathidae in Europe and description of Anapistula ataecina sp. n. (Araneae)
- Description of three new species of Anapistula Gertsch, 1941 from caves, with new distribution records for Brazilian Symphytognatha carstica Brescovit, Álvares & Lopes, 2004 (Araneae: Symphytognathidae)