Aname diversicolor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aname diversicolor |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aname
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| Species: |
diversicolor
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The Aname diversicolor, also known as the black wishbone spider, is a type of spider that digs burrows. You can find these spiders in southern Australia. They get their name from the special 'Y' or wishbone shape of their underground homes.
About the Black Wishbone Spider
The black wishbone spider is a kind of mygalomorph spider. This means it belongs to an ancient group of spiders with fangs that point downwards. It is mostly black, and sometimes its belly can look a bit bluish. This spider has long legs. Its main body part, called the carapace, is wide and rounded. It usually measures between 6.5 and 10 millimeters long.
You can often tell it's a black wishbone spider by its unique burrow. The burrow is shaped like a 'Y' or a wishbone. One part of the 'Y' goes to the surface, and the other part is a secret tunnel or 'annex' that stays underground. This hidden tunnel is often very close to the entrance. The spider lines its burrow with tightly woven silk.
Male black wishbone spiders are known to wander around during humid summer storms. This is especially true on the Swan Coastal Plain. This wandering behavior is a key sign of this species.
Where They Live and What They Do
Black wishbone spiders are found in many places across their range. However, you might not see many of them in one spot. Males are sometimes seen in cities during humid summer weather. This weather makes them leave their burrows and explore. Most of the time, these spiders stay put. They live inside their silk-lined burrows.
Sometimes, people mistake these large, black spiders for dangerous funnel-web spiders. Funnel-web spiders belong to a different group called Atrax. It's important to know the difference.
The 'Y' shaped burrow is very clever. Only one arm of the burrow reaches the surface. The other arm can act as a safe hiding spot for the spider. If the burrow gets flooded, the spider can retreat into this hidden tunnel.
How They Got Their Name
The black wishbone spider was first described in 1902 by a scientist named Henry Roughton Hogg. He first called it Dekana diversicolor. Later, it was moved to the genus Aname. All spiders in the Aname group are found only in Australia.
A famous spider expert named Barbara York Main called some Australian spiders 'wishbone spiders'. She gave them this name because of the 'Y' or wishbone-shape of their burrows. Even though many different types of spiders might have wishbone-shaped burrows, it doesn't mean they are all closely related. It just means they developed a similar way to build their homes.
