Macrobunus

Macrobunus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Macrobunidae
Genus: Macrobunus
Tullgren, 1901[1]
Type species
Macrobunus backhauseni
(Simon, 1896)
Diversity
5 species

Macrobunus is a genus of spiders in the family Amaurobiidae, known as hackled mesh-web weavers.[2] It was first described by Albert Tullgren in 1901.[1] The genus is represented by five species, with only one species known from South Africa and the rest recorded from South America.[3]

Description

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Macrobunus spiders are small, with a total body size of 3-5 mm. They are recognized by their undivided cribellum. The carapace is oval with a longitudinal fovea. The anterior median eyes are larger than the posterior lateral eyes, and the anterior eye row is strongly recurved. The median ocular triangle is narrower anteriorly. The opisthosoma is long and oval.[3]

Males have a distinctive spur on the first femora. Females possess an epigyne with a central septum.[3]

Ecology and behavior

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Little is known about the behavior of Macrobunus spiders. They are ground dwellers that are typically sampled from pitfall traps.[3]

Species

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As of September 2025, this genus includes four species:[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tullgren, A. (1901). Contribution to the knowledge of the spider fauna of the Magellan Territories.
  2. ^ a b "Genus Bymainiella". World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N.; Jocqué, R. (2021). "South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide: The Amaurobiidae of South Africa". Version 2: 1–26. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5981342. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.