Homalonychus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Homalonychidae |
Genus: |
Homalonychus Marx, 1891 |
Species | |
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The Homalonychidae are a very small spider family with three described species in one genus, Homalonychus.
They do not build webs and are typically found under rocks or dead vegetation. At least the two North American species live in deserts, to which they are adapted by color and specialized setae which allow them to attach sand and fine soil to themselves. They also partially bury themselves.
Two species are found in the southern USA and Mexico. H. theologus is mostly found west of the Colorado River, H. selenopoides mostly to the east, with some populations in Death Valley and near Mercury, Nevada.
In 1991 a species from India was described; however, according to Platnick, this third species was misplaced in this genus.