Platnickina

Koçak & Kemal, 2008

Platnick's Cobweb Spiders

Species Guides

Platnickina is a of cobweb spiders (Theridiidae) established in 2008 and named in honor of arachnologist Norman Platnick. The genus is , excluding Oceania, with fifteen recognized as of 2025. European species exhibit distinctive bright yellow coloration with black mottling. The genus can be distinguished from other theridiids by specific morphological traits including on the of the third leg pair.

Platnickina by (c) Ben Armstrong, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ben Armstrong. Used under a CC-BY license.

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

Platnickina tincta by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Platnickina: //plætˈnɪkɪnə//

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Identification

Distinguished from other theridiid by: (1) presence of on of third leg pair; (2) opisthosoma not higher than long; (3) absence of colulus. of final leg pair bear rows of strong, serrated bristles ventrally. European are bright yellow with black mottling.

Images

Habitat

Recorded from diverse elevations including 79–843 m in subtropical to temperate regions of southern China, and up to 1919 m in montane (Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve, Hubei Province).

Distribution

excluding Oceania. Documented in China from Hubei, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, and Yunnan provinces. Distribution records from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden).

Similar Taxa

TheridionTwo (P. obscuratum, P. xianfengense) were transferred from Theridion to Platnickina based on morphological characters; distinguished by on third leg and absence of colulus in Platnickina

More Details

Taxonomic history

The type was originally described by Walckenaer in 1802. The modern concept was established by Koçak & Kemal in 2008. Three species groups (antoni, maculata, sterninotata) have been established based on copulatory organ .

Species composition

As of October 2025, fifteen are recognized. Six former species have been synonymized, primarily under P. mneon and P. alabamensis.

Reproductive morphology

Males possess palps with tegulum, , tegular apophysis, conductor, and embolus. Females have epigynal atrium, copulatory ducts, spermathecae, and ducts.