Heptathela | |
---|---|
Heptathela kimurai | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Suborder: | Mesothelae |
Family: | Heptathelidae |
Genus: |
Heptathela Kishida, 1923 [1] |
Species | |
See text | |
Diversity [1] | |
20 species |
Heptathela is a genus of spiders that includes the Kimura spider (Heptathela kimurai). They are trapdoor spiders of the family Heptathelidae [2] and are found in Japan, including Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. [1] Spiders of this genus lack venom glands. [3]
Females are up to 25 mm long, males slightly smaller. Burrows have an oval shaped door which is hinged across the long diameter. [4]
The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek hepta "seven", referring to the number of spinneret glands.
As of January 2022 [update], the World Spider Catalog accepted the following species: [1]
Many of the species formerly placed in this genus have been transferred to other genera in the family Liphistiidae, including Sinothela, Songthela and Vinathela. [1]
This is the genus of spider referenced by Vincent Price in the introduction to Alice Cooper's The Black Widow on his Welcome to my Nightmare album.[ citation needed]