The anyphaenid sac spiders (family Anyphaenidae) are distinguished from the sac spiders and other spiders by having the abdominal spiracle placed one third to one half of the way anterior to the spinnerets toward the epigastric furrow on the underside of the abdomen. In most spiders the spiracle is just anterior to the spinnerets. Like clubionids, anyphaenids have eight eyes arranged in two rows, conical anterior spinnerets and are wandering predators that built silken retreats, or sacs, usually on plant terminals, between leaves, under bark or under rocks. There are more than 500 species in over 50 genera worldwide.

Anyphaena species

The family is widespread and includes such common genera as Anyphaena (worldwide except tropical Africa and Asia) and Hibana (New World). Only one species (A. accentuata) occurs in northwestern Europe.

Species in the latter genus are important predators in several agricultural systems, especially tree crops. They are able to detect and feed on insect eggs, despite their poor eyesight. They share this ability at least with some miturgid spiders.

The depicted spider, Hibana velox, is a common spider of this family in the United States.

Systematics

The categorization into subfamilies follows Joel Hallan.[1]

• Amaurobioidinae Hickman, 1949

• Amaurobioidini Hickman, 1949

• Acanthoceto Mello-Leitão, 1944
• Amaurobioides O. P.-Cambridge, 1883
• Axyracrus Simon, 1884
• Aysenia Tullgren, 1902
• Aysenoides Ramírez, 2003
• Coptoprepes Simon, 1884
• Ferrieria Tullgren, 1901
• Gamakia Ramírez, 2003
• Josa Keyserling, 1891
• Negayan Ramírez, 2003
• Selknamia Ramírez, 2003

• Gayennini Ramirez, 2003

• Arachosia O. P.-Cambridge, 1882
• Araiya Ramírez, 2003
• Gayenna Nicolet, 1849
• Gayennoides Ramírez, 2003
• Monapia Simon, 1897
• Oxysoma Nicolet, 1849
• Phidyle Simon, 1880
• Philisca Simon, 1884
• Sanogasta Mello-Leitão, 1941
• Tasata Simon, 1903
• Tomopisthes Simon, 1884

• Anyphaeninae Bertkau, 1878

• Alijassa Brescovit, 1997
• Anyphaena Sundevall, 1833
• Anyphaenoides Berland, 1913
• Australaena Berland, 1942
• Aysha Keyserling, 1891
• Bromelina Brescovit, 1993
• Buckupiella Brescovit, 1997
• Hatitia Brescovit, 1997
• Hibana Brescovit, 1991
• Iguarima Brescovit, 1997
• Ilocomba Brescovit, 1997
• Isigonia Simon, 1897
• Italaman Brescovit, 1997
• Katissa Brescovit, 1997
• Lepajan Brescovit, 1993
• Lupettiana Brescovit, 1997
• Macrophyes O. P.-Cambridge, 1893
• Mesilla Simon, 1903
• Osoriella Mello-Leitão, 1922
• Otoniela Brescovit, 1997
• Patrera Simon, 1903
• Pippuhana Brescovit, 1997
• Sillus F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1900
• Tafana Simon, 1903
• Temnida Simon, 1896
• Teudis O. P.-Cambridge, 1896
• Thaloe Brescovit, 1993
• Timbuka Brescovit, 1997
• Umuara Brescovit, 1997
• Wulfila O. P.-Cambridge, 1895
• Wulfilopsis Soares & Camargo, 1955
• Xiruana Brescovit, 1997

• Malenellinae Ramirez, 1995

• Malenella Ramírez, 1995

See also

• List of Anyphaenidae species
• Spider families