Phyxelida is a genus of araneomorph spiders in the family Phyxelididae, and was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1894.
Description
Phyxelida are small to large spiders with total lengths ranging from 3 to 13 mm. The carapace is wider than long, with a thoracic fovea that is usually broad and deep but may be narrowed posteriorly or rectangular. The abdomen displays variable dorsal markings, while the venter shows longitudinal bands that range from faint to very broad and elaborate. The legs are long to elongate.
Species it contains seventeen species, found in Africa, Israel, on Cyprus, and in Turkey:
Phyxelida abyssinica Griswold, 1990 – Ethiopia Phyxelida anatolica Griswold, 1990 – Cyprus, Turkey, Israel Phyxelida apwania Griswold, 1990 – Kenya, Tanzania Phyxelida bifoveata (Strand, 1913) – East Africa Phyxelida carcharata Griswold, 1990 – Kenya Phyxelida crassibursa Griswold, 1990 – Kenya Phyxelida eurygyna Griswold, 1990 – Malawi Phyxelida irwini Griswold, 1990 – Kenya Phyxelida jabalina Griswold, 1990 – Tanzania Phyxelida kipia Griswold, 1990 – Tanzania Phyxelida makapanensis Simon, 1894 – South Africa (type species) Phyxelida mirabilis (L. Koch, 1875) – Ethiopia Phyxelida nebulosa (Tullgren, 1910) – Kenya, Tanzania Phyxelida pingoana Griswold, 1990 – Kenya Phyxelida sindanoa Griswold, 1990 – Kenya Phyxelida tanganensis (Simon & Fage, 1922) – Tanzania Phyxelida umlima Griswold, 1990 – Tanzania
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