| Gradungula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gradungula sorenseni (adult male topotype) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gradungulidae |
| Genus: | Gradungula Forster, 1955 [1] |
| Species: | G. sorenseni |
| Binomial name | |
| Gradungula sorenseni Forster, 1955 | |
Gradungula is a monotypic genus of South Pacific large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Gradungula sorenseni. It is only found in New Zealand. [1]
The genus name is derived from Latin gradus "step" and ungula "claw", referring to the enlarged front leg claws of this species. These claws also occur in other species of the family Gradungulidae. [1] The species name "sorenseni" is named after Jack Sorensen, the discoverer of the species. [2]
Gradungula sorenseni was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1955. [3]
Gradungula sorenseni is distributed in forests throughout the western South Island and throughout Stewart Island. [4]
Gradungulidae, also known as large-clawed spiders, is a spider family endemic to Australia and New Zealand. They are medium to large-sized haplogyne spiders with three claws and two pairs of book-lungs similar to Mygalomorphae. Some species build extensive webs with an upper retreat tangle and connecting threads to scaffolding. This supports the ladder-like catching platform that is glued to the ground. Progradungula, a large spider with long legs like Hickmania, and Macrogradungula are the only cribellate genera of the family.
Mahura is a genus of South Pacific funnel weavers first described by Raymond Robert Forster & C. L. Wilton in 1973 and known only from New Zealand. They are fairly common, though small spiders, ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 millimetres long.
The Nelson cave spider (Spelungula) is a monotypic genus of South Pacific large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Spelungula cavernicola. It was first described by Raymond Robert Forster, Norman I. Platnick, & Michael R. Gray in 1987, and has only been found in caves in the northwestern part of New Zealand's South Island.
Paradictyna is a genus of South Pacific cribellate araneomorph spiders in the family Dictynidae, and was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1970. As of May 2019 it contains only two species, both found in New Zealand: P. ilamia and P. rufoflava.
Zealanapis is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Anapidae, first described by Norman I. Platnick & Raymond Robert Forster in 1989.
Orepukia is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Cycloctenidae, known only from New Zealand. First described by Raymond Robert Forster & C. L. Wilton in 1973, it was originally placed in Agelenidae, but was transferred to Cycloctenidae in 2017. Their webs are built on the ground between fallen branches, logs, and other debris, and they are commonly found on the South Island, but hardly ever anywhere else. They range in size from 6 to 7.5 millimetres and lack a cribellum. Their eight eyes are in two rows, the anterior row straight and the other slightly curved. Their jaws are vertical and the labium is notched near the base.
Ahua is a genus of South Pacific funnel weavers first described by Raymond Robert Forster & C. L. Wilton in 1973.
Paravoca is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Cycloctenidae, first described by Raymond Robert Forster & C. L. Wilton in 1973. As of April 2019 it contains only two species, both found in New Zealand.
Hanea is a monotypic genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Cyatholipidae containing the single species, Hanea paturau. It was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1988, and has only been found in New Zealand.
Tekelloides is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Cyatholipidae, and was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1988. As of April 2019 it contains only two species, both found in New Zealand: T. australis and T. flavonotatus.
Hulua is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Toxopidae, and was first described by Raymond Robert Forster & C. L. Wilton in 1973. Originally placed with the intertidal spiders, it was moved to the Toxopidae in 2017.
Otagoa is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Toxopidae, and was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1970. As of May 2019 it contains only three species, all found in New Zealand: O. chathamensis, O. nova, and O. wiltoni.
Viridictyna is a genus of South Pacific cribellate araneomorph spiders in the family Dictynidae, and was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1970.
Kapanga is a genus of South Pacific dwarf sheet spiders that was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1970.
Colaranea is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first described by D. J. Court & Raymond Robert Forster in 1988 that are endemic to New Zealand.
Cryptaranea is a genus of South Pacific orb-weaver spiders first described by D. J. Court & Raymond Robert Forster in 1988.
Novakiella is a genus of South Pacific orb-weaver spiders containing the single species, Novakiella trituberculosa that has only been found in Australia and New Zealand.
Novaranea is a genus of South Pacific orb-weaver spiders first described by D. J. Court & Raymond Robert Forster in 1988. As of April 2019 it contains only two species.
Kaitawa is a monotypic genus of South Pacific ground spiders containing the single species, Kaitawa insulare. It was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1979, who separated Cheiracanthium insulare from Cheiracanthium into this genus, retaining the species name. It has only been found in New Zealand.
Lamina is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Toxopidae, and was first described by Raymond Robert Forster in 1970.
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