Oonopidae, also known as goblin spiders, is a family of spiders consisting of over 1,600 described species in about 113 genera worldwide, with total species diversity estimated at 2000 to 2500 species. The type genus of the family is OonopsKeyserling, 1835.
Unicorn ("one horn", in Latin) is a genus of goblin spiders from South America, containing seven species that occur predominantly in high elevation, semi-desert regions of Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Individuals are relatively large for goblin spiders, measuring up to 3.0 mm (0.12 in) in body length. The genus name refers to a characteristic pointed projection between the eyes and jaws of males. In at least one species, broken-off tips of the male pedipalps have been found within the genitalia of females, postulated as a means of sperm competition. Unicorn possesses several traits that suggest it is a relatively "primitive" member of the Oonopidae, and is classified with other similar, soft-bodied goblin spiders in the subfamily Sulsulinae.
This glossary describes the terms used in formal descriptions of spiders; where applicable these terms are used in describing other arachnids.
Triaeris stenaspis is a species of spider in the family Oonopidae, with a pantropical distribution. It is also found in Iran and has been introduced into Europe. A very small spider, with a maximum body length of under 2 mm (0.08 in), it has been shown to prey successfully on springtails. Only females have ever been found, and the species may be parthenogenetic, being able to produce female offspring from unfertilized eggs.
Trogloraptor is a genus of large spiders found in the caves of southwestern Oregon. It is the sole genus in the family Trogloraptoridae, and includes only one species, Trogloraptor marchingtoni. These spiders are predominantly yellow-brown in color with a maximum leg span of 3 in (7.6 cm). They are remarkable for having hook-like claws on the raptorial last segments of their legs.
Predatoroonops is a genus of goblin spiders endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The genus is characterized by the extremely modified male chelicerae and long pairs of ventral spines. It is the first fully revised endemic Brazilian genus of spiders, uncovered in 2012 after two and a half years of research at São Paulo's Instituto Butantan.
Mysmena wawuensis is a species of spider found in China. It grows to 0.75 millimetres long. It is named after the Wawu Mountain National Forest Park in Sichuan Province in southwestern China where it was discovered and first described in 2013 by Yucheng Lin and Shuqiang Li. It was collected from the leaf litter at an altitude of 1,929 metres (6,329 ft) and is only known from the type locality.
Prethopalpus blosfeldsorum is a litter-dwelling goblin spider in the family Oonopidae.
Prethopalpus marionae is a litter-dwelling goblin spider in the family Oonopidae.
Dalmasula is a genus of goblin spiders containing five species occurring in Namibia and South Africa. Males range from 1.7–2.8 mm in length, females 2.2–3.1 mm. The cephalothorax is orange or yellow, and the abdomen is white.
Aprusia veddah, is a species of oonopid spider of the genus Aprusia. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Trilacuna is a genus of goblin spiders native to Southeast Asia, first described by Tong & Li in 2007. They look similar to members of Silhouettella, but males can be distinguished by their large palpal femur, among several other more complicated defining features. The name is a combination of the Latin terms "tri" and "lacuna", referring to the three-branched endites in males and the three-notched labium in females.
Thiratoscirtus harpago is a species of jumping spider in the genus Thiratoscirtus that lives in Nigeria. The species was first described in 2011 by Wanda Wesołowska and Russell-Smith. Only the male has been identified. It is a medium-sized spider, with a cephalothorax that is typically 3.9 mm long and an abdomen that is 2.7 mm in length, both oval in shape. The carapace is generally dark brown and the abdomen dark greyish-fawn on top. The clypeus, or face, has a triangular marking of white hairs. The mouthparts include large chelicerae and a short fang. Its copulatory organs are unusual, including the a very small palpal bulb enclosed in a cymbium that is shaped like a half-moon and a hook at the end of the embolus, which is recalled in the species name, a Latin word that can be translated "harpoon".
Thiratoscirtus obudu is a species of jumping spider in the genus Thiratoscirtus that lives in Nigeria. The species was first described in 2011 by Wanda Wesołowska and Russell-Smith. The holotype was found at an altitude of 1,900 m (6,200 ft) above sea level. on Obudu Plateau, Cross River State, after which it is named. Only the male has been described. It is a medium-sized spider, with a wider cephalothorax that is between 2.7 and 2.8 mm long and a thinner abdomen that is 2.2 and 2.4 mm in length, both oval in shape. The mouthparts include robust chelicerae and a short fang. It can be distinguished from other spiders in the genus by its copulatory organs. It has a small pedipalp with a rounded palpal bulb and a small spike on its palpal tibia called a tibial apophysis The apophysis is smaller than that found on other species.
Euophrys limpopo is a species of jumping spider in the genus Euophrys that is endemic to South Africa. The species was first described in 2014 by Wanda Wesołowska, Galina Azarkina and Anthony Russell-Smith. It is a very small brown spider, with a body that consists of a cephalothorax that is typically 1.1 mm (0.04 in) long and an abdomen that is typically 1.2 mm (0.05 in) long. The cephalothorax has a darker carapace, or topside, and a lighter sternum, or underside, while the abdomen is reversed. Its eye field is even darker, nearly black. A hairless scutum covers much of the abdomen. The copulatory organs are unique amongst spiders in the genus, particularly the long thin embolus on the palpal bulb of the male. The female has not been described.
Euophrys meridionalis is a species of jumping spider in the genus Euophrys that is known as the Royal Natal Euophrys Jumping Spider. Endemic to South Africa, the species was first described in 2014 by Wanda Wesołowska, Galina Azarkina and Anthony Russell-Smith. It is a very small spider, smaller than most in the genus, with a body that consists of a cephalothorax that measures between 1 and 1.2 mm long and a abdomen that is between 1 and 1.3 mm (0.05 in) long. The carapace, the topside of the cephalothorax, is dark brown and the underside of the cephalothorax, or sternum, is brownish. The pattern on the abdomen differs between the female and the male. The female has a dark surface marked with light patches, including a series of chevrons in the middle. The male has a plain brown scutum in the top but a yellowish-grey or blackish underside with a pattern light dotted lines. The male has generally brown legs, apart from the front pair, which are black and yellow, while the female's legs are all yellowish with some brown parts. The male has a longer embolus than Euophrys falciger, but it otherwise similar, apart from its size.
Stenaelurillus modestus is a species of jumping spider in the genus Stenaelurillus that lives in South Africa. It was first described in 2014 by Wanda Wesołowska. The species is a specialist that preys on Odontotermes termites, although its venom is also effective against other prey. The spider is medium-sized, with a brown cephalothorax between 2.0 and 2.7 mm in length and a black abdomen between 1.9 and 2.8 mm long. It is generally black in colour. The carapace has a border of white hairs and the abdomen is edged with bristles. It is distinguished from other members of the genus by the male's elongated palpal bulb and straight embolus, and the horseshoe-shaped depression in the female's epigyne.
Stenaelurillus albopunctatus is a species of jumping spider in the genus Stenaelurillus that lives in Kenya. It was first described in 1949 by Ludovico di Caporiacco. The spider is medium-sized, with a cephalothorax between 2.24 and 23.55 mm long and abdomen between 2.38 and 3.92 mm long. It has two white stripes on its carapace and white speckles or spots on its abdomen. The female is generally lighter than the male. For example, the female has a brown and yellow carapace, which in the male is brown or black. The female clypeus and legs are yellow, while on the male they are brown. Otherwise, the colouration is similar to many other species in the genus. It is this similarity that led to the species Stenaelurillus guttiger being recognised as a member of the genus. The male has a spatula-like appendage at the front of its yellow pedipalps and a short thick embolus. The female has copulatory openings positioned very closely together and short insemination ducts.
Shuqiang Li is a Chinese arachnologist and a professor at the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Li is best known for his work with spiders and has described hundreds of new species and many genera. He is Editor in Chief of the journal Zoological Systematics.
Rhenefictus wandae is a species of jumping spider in the genus Rhenefictus that lives in China and Vietnam. First described in 2021 by Cheng Wang and Shuqiang Li, it was initially allocated to the genus Rhene. In 2022, the species was acknowledged as the same as Rhenefictus tropicus and the two were synonymised under the current name. It is the type species of the genus Rhenefictus. Only the male has been described. The spider is small, with a dark red or dark brown carapace between 2.35 and 2.4 mm long and a brown abdomen between 2.4 and 2.98 mm long. The base of the abdomen is grey-yellow. The spider has a distinctive embolus on its palpal bulb that is coiled and whip-like, terminating in a pointed tip.
