Trogloraptoridae
Guides
Trogloraptor marchingtoni
cave robber spider
Trogloraptor marchingtoni is a large cave-dwelling spider and the sole species in the family Trogloraptoridae, the first new spider family described from North America since the 1890s. Discovered in 2010 in caves of southwestern Oregon, this species is distinguished by extraordinary hook-like claws on its legs used to capture prey. It represents a remarkable evolutionary lineage with no close known relatives among living spiders. The species name honors Neil Marchington, the deputy sheriff and amateur biologist who first brought the spiders to scientific attention.