Antrodiaetidae


Antrodiaetidae, also known as folding trapdoor spiders or folding-door spiders, is a small spider family related to atypical tarantulas. They are found almost exclusively in the western and midwestern United States, from California to Washington and east to the Appalachian Mountains. Exceptions include Antrodiaetus roretzi and Antrodiaetus yesoensis, which are endemic to Japan and are considered relict species. It is likely that two separate vicariance events led to the evolution of these two species.

Genera

, this family includes four genera and 37 species:Aliatypus Smith, 1908United StatesAntrodiaetus Ausserer, 1871Japan, North AmericaAtypoides O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1883United StatesHexura Simon, 1885North America

Name

The name “folding-door” describes how they open or close the entrance to their burrow; they unfold or fold the door.