Goblin-spiders
Guides
Escaphiella
Escaphiella is a genus of dwarf goblin spiders in the family Oonopidae, established in 2009 by arachnologists Norman Platnick and Nadine Dupérré. The genus contains 36 described species distributed across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Mexico, Central America, and into South America. Most species were described in the original 2009 revision, though some were transferred from other genera based on newly recognized morphological characters.
Heteroonops
Heteroonops is a genus of goblin spiders (family Oonopidae) described by Dalmas in 1916. The genus contains approximately 25 species as of 2021. These spiders are part of the diverse Oonopidae family, which are characterized by their small size and compact body form. Members of this genus are found in various regions, with distribution records including Denmark.
Oonopidae
Goblin spiders
Oonopidae, commonly known as goblin spiders, is a diverse family of minute spiders comprising approximately 2,000 described species across 115 genera worldwide, with total species diversity estimated at 2,000–2,500. These spiders are characterized by their tiny size (typically 1–3 mm), reduced eye number (usually six, though some species have four, two, or are completely eyeless), and frequently exhibit unusual morphological modifications in males. The family shows remarkable morphological diversity including hardened abdominal plates (scuta), modified mouthparts, sternal pouches, and elaborate pedipalp structures. Goblin spiders are predominantly ground-dwelling, inhabiting leaf litter, soil, and rock crevices, with some lineages adapted to canopy habitats, caves, or termite nests. The family has an extensive fossil record in amber deposits dating back over 100 million years, with Orchestina already widespread by the end of the Cretaceous.