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Pianoa

Genus of spiders From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pianoa
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Pianoa is a monotypic genus of large-clawed spiders endemic to New Zealand. It contains a single species, Pianoa isolata, known commonly as the piano flat spider.

Quick facts Scientific classification, Binomial name ...

It was first described by Raymond Robert Forster, Norman I. Platnick & Michael R. Gray in 1987.[2][3]

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Distribution

The piano flat spider is found throughout the Waikaia Forest and at other locations in northern Southland and west Otago.[4]

Description

Juveniles are pale white with no markings, but develop pigmentation after several molts.[2]

Egg sacs are pale cream or white in colour.[2]

Habitat

P. isolata has been observed living in leaf litter and rotting logs on the forest floor.[5][6]

Behaviour and diet

The piano flat spider is nocturnal. It is an active hunter and does not build a web, instead using a large claw on the end of its first and second legs to seize prey, which it bites repeatedly.[4][7]

Egg-sacs are laid in the cavities of fallen logs in late spring to early summer. After three to four weeks, juveniles emerge from a small hole at the base of the egg-sac.[8]

Conservation

The piano flat spider is classified as At Risk (Relict) by the Department of Conservation.[9]

References

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