Liphistius malayanus

Liphistius malayanus
Liphistius malayanus near one of its burrows
Image of Liphistius malayanus in its burrow
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Mesothelae
Family:	Liphistiidae
Genus:	Liphistius
Species:	L. malayanus
Binomial name
Liphistius malayanus Abraham, 1923

Liphistius malayanus, also known as the Malayan black trapdoor spider or the black armored trapdoor spider, is a species of trapdoor spider that is native to Malaysia. ^[1]

The burrows they create are covered by a thin, circular woven door which is hidden with dirt and moss. The trapdoors of females were up to 3.8 cm long and 6.5 cm wide. The longest burrow created by Liphistius malayanus was 20 cm long. They hide deep in their burrow during the day. At night, they wait for prey such as insects, woodlice and other similar animals to wonder near where it will catch them. ^[2]

Description

This is a large species of trapdoor spider with both sexes have a black or dark brown color. Some red can be seen. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

Habitat

This species is native to Malaysia, specifically the main range of the Malay peninsula. They can be found in soil on exposed sides of roads and trails inside and outside forests but never very far from forests, sides of erosion gullies, sloping forest floor, and in decomposing wood of logs. ^[1]

References

1. "Malayan Black Trapdoor Spider (Liphistius malayanus)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
2. "Liphistius malayanus (Black armoured trapdoor spider)". Scorpo Hunter. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
3. Abraham, H. C. (1929). "The Male of the Spider Liphistius malayanus H. C. Abr., with Further Notes on the Female and on its Habits". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 99 (4): 671–677. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1929.tb01450.x. ISSN   1469-7998.
4. Abraham, H. C. (1929). "The Male of the Spider Liphistius malayanus H. C. Abr., with Further Notes on the Female and on its Habits". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 99 (4): 671–677. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1929.tb01450.x. ISSN   1469-7998.