Liphistius batuensis

Liphistius batuensis
	Liphistius batuensis, behind its trapdoor, its legs feel for vibrations on the trip-lines that radiate out from its tubular nest. Sensing a vibration could mean food or foe.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Mesothelae
Family:	Liphistiidae
Genus:	Liphistius
Species:	L. batuensis
Binomial name
	Liphistius batuensis; Abraham, 1923

Liphistius batuensis is a species of trapdoor spider from Malaysia. It is thought to be restricted to the Batu Caves and a cave in Templer Park, near Kuala Lumpur.[1] It was first collected by H. C. Abraham in 1923, and has been described as a living fossil.[2]

Adults build a nest about 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) long with an opening some 22 mm (0.9 in) wide, from which six to 10 strands of silk radiate out 12.5–15 cm (5–6 in) in a semicircle. The movement of an insect against these threads is detected by the spider, which then rushes out and captures the insect.[2] Spiderlings build smaller nests, only 10 mm (0.39 in) across, and seem to abandon these during development to build a bigger nest; intermediate sizes of nests are not seen.[2]

Spiders of all ages may fall prey to cave-dwelling centipedes.[2]

References

T.W. Lim and S.S. Yussof (2009). "Conservation status of Batu Caves Trapdoor Spider (Liphistius batuensis Abraham (Araneae, Mesothelae)): A preliminary survey. 61: 121-132". Malayan Nature Journal. 62 (1): 121–132.
H. Elliott McClure, Boo-Liat Lim & Sarah E. Winn (1967). "Fauna of the Dark Cave, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia" (PDF). Pacific Insects. 9 (3): 399–428.

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[1] T.W. Lim and S.S. Yussof (2009). "Conservation status of Batu Caves Trapdoor Spider (Liphistius batuensis Abraham (Araneae, Mesothelae)): A preliminary survey. 61: 121-132". Malayan Nature Journal. 62 (1): 121–132.

[mcclure-2] H. Elliott McClure, Boo-Liat Lim & Sarah E. Winn (1967). "Fauna of the Dark Cave, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia" (PDF). Pacific Insects. 9 (3): 399–428.