Megadictyna

Megadictyna is a genus of spiders in the family Megadictynidae. It was first described in 1906 by Friedrich Dahl.^[2] As of February 2019^[update], it contains only one species, Megadictyna thilenii, found in New Zealand.^[1] Similar to many RTA clade spiders, Megadictyna build wheel-shaped orb webs.^[3]

Megadictyna
Conservation status
Not Threatened (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Megadictynidae
Genus:	Megadictyna Dahl, 1906
Species:	M. thilenii
Binomial name
Megadictyna thilenii Dahl, 1906[1]
Synonyms
Ihurakius forsteri Megadictyna thileniusi

Taxonomy

The genus and species were first described in 1906 by Friedrich Dahl. The species was undergone numerous revisions.^[3][4][5]

Description

The female is recorded at 11.87mm in length whereas the male is 9.67mm.^[4] The carapace is coloured is dusky yellow with dark brown areas. The legs are yellow brown with dark banding. The abdomen is creamy yellow with brown mottling.^[5]

Male

Distribution

This species is widespread throughout New Zealand, except the southern half of the South Island.^[5]

Conservation status

Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Not Threatened".^[6]