Psechridae is a family of araneomorphspiders with about 60 species in two genera.[1][2] These are among the biggest cribellate spiders with body lengths up to 2 centimetres (0.79in) and funnel webs more than 1 metre (3ft 3in) in diameter.[3]
The family belongs to the RTA clade of spiders because they all have a Retrolateral Tibial Apophysis on the male pedipalp.
A recent phylogenetic analysis places Psechridae as close relatives of the lynx spiders, wolf spiders, and nursery web spiders.[4]
They feature several characteristics normally found in ecribellate spiders, for example brood care behavior, and a colulus with no apparent function.[5] They have greatly elongated legs, with the last element being very flexible. Female Psechrus carry their egg-sac in the chelicerae, similar to their relatives, the ecribellate Pisauridae. Members of Psechrus construct horizontal webs lace webs, while Fecenia construct pseudo-orbs, similar to orb webs of Orbiculariae spiders in an example of evolutionary convergence.[4][6]
Distribution
They occur in southeastern Asia, ranging from India in the west, to Solomon Islands in the east, reaching as far south as northern Australia, and north to central China.[7] They are found in forest, rocky areas, and caves from lowlands to altitudes exceeding 2,000 metres (1.2mi).
Genera
As of January2026[update], this family includes two genera and 64 species:[7]
12Agnarsson, I.; Gregorič, M.; Blackledge, T.A.; Kuntner, M.; etal. (2013). "Phylogenetic placement of Psechridae and the convergent origin of orb-like spider webs". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 51. doi:10.1111/jzs.12007.
