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Tetralycosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Lycosidae
Subfamily: Artoriinae
Genus: Tetralycosa
Roewer [1]
Species

Tetralycosa is a genus of Australian spiders in the family Lycosidae first described by Roewer in 1960, [2] later revised by Framenau & Hudson to include thirteen species. [3] Genetic studies show that these spiders all diverged from a common ancestor who likely wandered into the salty area and remained. [3] They live exclusively in certain saline environments of Australia's interior, including coastal beaches, mound springs, clay pans, and salt lakes. There haven't been enough studies to establish a conservation status, but some species have only been found in solitary salt lakes, suggesting that the increase of mining, agriculture, recreational, and similar disturbances of these unique ecosystems may eventually lead to their extinction if not properly regulated. [3]

References

  1. ^ "Lycosidae". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  2. ^ Roewer, C.F. (1959). Institute des Parcs Nationaux du Congo et du Rwanda (ed.). "Araneae Lycosaeformia II. (Lycosidae)". Exploration du Parc National de l'Upemba — Mission G. F. De Witte. 55: 519–1040.
  3. ^ a b c Framenau, Volker W.; Hudson, Peter. "Taxonomy, systematics and biology of the Australian halotolerant wolf spider genus Tetralycosa (Araneae: Lycosidae: Artoriinae)". European Journal of Taxonomy (335): 1–72.