Barychelidae, also known as brushed trapdoor spiders, is a spider family with about 300 species in 42 genera. Most spiders in this family build trapdoor burrows. For example, the 20 millimetres (0.79 in) long Sipalolasma builds its burrow in rotted wood, with a hinged trapdoor at each end. The 10 millimetres (0.39 in) long Idioctis builds its burrow approximately 5 centimetres (2.0 in) deep, just below the high tide level, sealing the opening with a thin trapdoor.
Diaea is a genus of crab spiders first described by Tamerlan Thorell in 1869. Most species are found in specific locations except for D. livens, which occurs both in the United States and D. dorsata, which has a palearctic distribution. Adults are 5 millimetres (0.20 in) to 7 millimetres (0.28 in) and tend to hide in and around vegetation, especially flowers, where their color allows them to blend in to their surroundings.
Selenocosmia is a genus of tarantulas that was first described by Anton Ausserer in 1871.
Cyrtophora, the tent-web spiders, is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first described by Eugène Simon in 1895. Although they are in the "orb weaver" family, they do not build orb webs. Their tent-like, highly complex non-sticky web is sometimes considered a precursor of the simplified orb web. These webs are aligned horizontally, with a network of supporting threads above them. These spiders often live in colonies. Females have a body length of mostly about 10 millimetres (0.39 in) long. Some members, including Cyrtophora cicatrosa, exhibit the ability to change colour rapidly.
The Nihoa trapdoor spider or Nihoa mahina is a trapdoor spider endemic to Nihoa, Hawaii. These spiders are hunters that dig a hole near rocks cover it with a concealed trapdoor. These burrows are excavated completely with the spider's jaw. When prey approaches or falls in, the spider pounces on it. Then its abnormally large pedipalps are used to take food into the mouth.
Sason is a genus of bark-dwelling brushed trapdoor spiders first described by Eugène Simon in 1887. It is distributed from the Seychelles through India to northern Australia. The closest related genus seems to be the monotypic Paracenobiopelma.
Tetragnatha is a genus of long-jawed orb-weavers found all over the world. It was first described by Pierre André Latreille in 1804, and it contains hundreds of species. Most occur in the tropics and subtropics, and many can run over water. They are commonly called stretch spiders in reference to their elongated body form and their ability to hide on blades of grass or similar elongated substrates by stretching their front legs forward and the others behind them. The name Tetragnatha is derived from Greek, tetra- a numerical prefix referring to four and gnatha meaning "jaw". On the Hawaiian islands, a shift of cursorial behavior occurred long ago, when their ancestors first arrived on the island chain.
Synothele is a genus of Australian brushed trapdoor spiders first described by Eugène Simon in 1908. The number of species in the genera was greatly expanded by Robert Raven in 1994.
Fijocrypta is a monotypic genus of South Pacific brushed trapdoor spiders containing the single species, Fijocrypta vitilevu. Both genus and species were first described by Robert Raven in 1994, and they have only been found in Fiji. It was first found in rainforests in the eastern highlands of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, from which the species name is derived. The genus name is derived from "Fiji" and the Latin word cryptus, meaning "hidden".
Anepsion is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first described by Embrik Strand in 1929.
Idioctis is a genus of brushed trapdoor spiders that was first described by L. Koch in 1874.
Mandjelia is a genus of South Pacific brushed trapdoor spiders first described by Robert Raven in 1994.
Monodontium is a genus of brushed trapdoor spiders first described by Władysław Kulczyński in 1908.
Orstom is a genus of South Pacific brushed trapdoor spiders first described by Robert Raven in 1994.
Seqocrypta is a genus of Australian brushed trapdoor spiders first described by Robert Raven in 1994.
Conothele is a genus of mygalomorph spiders in the family Halonoproctidae, first described by Tamerlan Thorell in 1878. Originally placed with the Ctenizidae, it was moved to the Halonoproctidae in 2018.
Moruga is a genus of Australian brushed trapdoor spiders first described by Robert J. Raven in 1994.
