Trichobothria
Guides
Platnickina
Platnick's Cobweb Spiders
Platnickina is a genus of cobweb spiders (Theridiidae) established in 2008 and named in honor of arachnologist Norman Platnick. The genus is cosmopolitan, excluding Oceania, with fifteen recognized species 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 trichobothria on the metatarsi of the third leg pair.
Theraphosidae
tarantulas, bird spiders, birdeaters
Theraphosidae is a family of large, often hairy spiders commonly known as tarantulas. The family comprises approximately 900 described species distributed across tropical, subtropical, and arid regions worldwide. Tarantulas are characterized by their substantial size, with some species reaching leg spans up to 30 cm, and their longevity—females of certain species can live 20 to 30 years. They are primarily nocturnal predators that employ diverse hunting strategies including ambush from burrows, active pursuit, and arboreal hunting. The family exhibits considerable ecological diversity, with species occupying terrestrial burrowing, arboreal, and even cave-dwelling niches.