Austrochilidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Austrochilidae |
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| Thaida chepu, male eyes | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Austrochilidae Zapfe, 1955 |
| Genera | |
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| Diversity | |
| 3 genera, 10 species | |
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Austrochilidae is a small family of spiders. There are only ten known species in this family, grouped into three main types, called genera. Two of these genera, Austrochilus and Thaida, live only in the Andes Mountains in central and southern Chile and nearby Argentina. The third genus, Hickmania, is found only in Tasmania, an island off Australia. Scientists are still studying how these different spider types are related to each other.
About Austrochilidae Spiders
Austrochilidae spiders are special because they have a mix of old and new features. For example, they still have four "book lungs." These are special organs that help them breathe, and having four is a very old trait for spiders. But some of their silk-making parts are more advanced, showing how they have changed over time.
Where They Live
As of 2017, there are three main groups (genera) in the Austrochilidae family:
- Austrochilus and Thaida: These spiders live in Chile and Argentina.
- Hickmania: This spider lives in Tasmania, Australia.
For a long time, scientists debated how these spiders should be grouped. In the past, some thought Hickmania should be in its own family. But later, in 1987, most scientists agreed to put all three groups into one family, called Austrochilidae.
Spider Family Tree
Scientists use different ways to figure out how living things are related. One way is by looking at their DNA. Recent studies using DNA have shown that these three spider groups are very old members of a large spider group called Araneomorphae. This means they branched off very early in spider history.
Some studies suggest that Hickmania might be more closely related to another spider family called Gradungulidae and a spider called Archoleptoneta. This means it might not be as closely related to Austrochilus and Thaida as once thought. Scientists are still working to understand the exact family tree of these interesting spiders.
Known Species
As of April 2019, the World Spider Catalog lists these genera in the Austrochilidae family:
- Austrochilus Gertsch & Zapfe, 1955 — Found in Chile and Argentina.
- Hickmania Gertsch, 1958 — Found in Australia.
- Thaida Karsch, 1880 — Found in Chile and Argentina.
See also
In Spanish: Austroquílidos para niños
