Plectophanes

Plectophanes is a genus of South Pacific araneomorph spiders in the family Cycloctenidae, and was first described by E. B. Bryant in 1935. The eyes are positioned on an extension of the carapace that projects forward of the chelicerae.

Description

These spiders are distinguished from other cycloctenids by the positioning of the eyes on an extension of the carapace that projects forward of the chelicerae.

Species

it contains five species, all found in New Zealand:

Plectophanes altus Forster, 1964 – New Zealand
Plectophanes archeyi Forster, 1964 – New Zealand
Plectophanes frontalis Bryant, 1935 – New Zealand
Plectophanes hollowayae Forster, 1964 – New Zealand
Plectophanes pilgrimi Forster, 1964 – New Zealand

Biology

Members of this genus are noted for living in holes in trees and branches. Their unusual eye arrangement allows them to observe approaching prey while the rest of the body remains concealed.