Leptonetidae


Leptonetidae is a family of small spiders adapted to live in dark and moist places such as caves. The family is relatively primitive having diverged around the Middle Jurassic period. They were first described by Eugène Simon in 1890.

Distinguishing characteristics

Leptonetids are small, with most falling between 2 and 5mm in total length. They are generally pale in color and feature a greenish or bluish shine due to microscopic texture on the cuticle of their exoskeleton. Those species which have retained their eyes, have 6 eyes set in a distinctive pattern, with posterior pair set back from the others. If a spider from this family looses a leg, it usually separates between the patella and tibia rather than at the coxa/trochanter joint.

Habitat

Many live in caves or in leaf litter around the Mediterranean, and in Eurasia, Japan and southern North America.

Genera

, this family includes 22 genera and 400 species:Appaleptoneta Platnick, 1986 – United StatesBarusia Kratochvíl, 1978 – Croatia, Greece, MontenegroCalileptoneta Platnick, 1986 – United StatesCataleptoneta Denis, 1955 – Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia, GreeceChisoneta Ledford & Griswold, 2011 – Mexico, United StatesFalcileptoneta Komatsu, 1970 – Eastern AsiaJingneta Wang & Li, 2020 – ChinaLeptoneta Simon, 1872 – Algeria, Korea, Italy, Portugal, Spain, FranceLeptonetela Kratochvíl, 1978 – China, Vietnam, Caucasus, Iran?, Turkey, GreeceLongileptoneta Seo, 2015 – China, Japan, KoreaMasirana Kishida, 1942 – Japan, Korea, TaiwanMontanineta Ledford & Griswold, 2011 – United StatesNeoleptoneta Brignoli, 1972 – MexicoOzarkia Ledford & Griswold, 2011 – United StatesParaleptoneta Fage, 1913 – Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, FrancePararana Lin & Li, 2022 – ChinaProtoleptoneta Deltshev, 1972 – Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia, FranceRhyssoleptoneta Tong & Li, 2007 – ChinaSulcia Kratochvíl, 1938 – Southern EuropeTayshaneta Ledford & Griswold, 2011 – United StatesTeloleptoneta Ribera, 1988 – PortugalYueleptoneta Tong, 2022 – China
Two genera have been moved to the family Archoleptonetidae: