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In spiders of the family Oecobiidae, the cephalothorax is broader than
long, with the group of eyes nearly in the centre. The eyes are unequal in
size and dissimilar in form. The anterior median and the posterior lateral
eyes are dark in colour ; the others, pearly white. The hind spinners two
jointed ; the second segment long and furnished with a comb of long
spinning tubes on the inner side. A single genus Oecobius with two species
O. putus and O. marathus occurs in the State. The latter species is known
only from Poona.
In the family Filistatidae, the cephalothorax is oval, longer than broad.
The eyes massed in a small group, hardly wider than long ; the anterior
median eyes dark in colour and round, the others pearly white, oval or
angular. Chelicerae small, lack of lateral condyle. The palpus of the male
is the most simple found among the spiders. A single genus Filist at a
represented by a single species Filistata poonaensis occurs in the State.
These are sedentary spiders which live in crevices in buildings. The
spiders are rarely seen, but their webs are often very conspicuous. These
webs are frequently built on the inner side of buildings and have more or
less circular opening for the retreat of the spider.
Spiders of the family Pholcidae have the carapace flat, subeircular, with
deep fovea and cephalic grooves ; head small, sharply defined ; anterior
median eyes small, the rest large and forming a group on each side ;
clypeus very high. Mouth-parts suctorial. Legs exceedingly long and
slender, furnished with 3 claws. Spinners short, subequal, forming a
compact cluster; cololus present. Sedentary spiders, spinning in hollow
trees, beneath overhanging rocks or in the corners of houses, a tangled
network of threads, amongst which the occupant hangs head downwards.
The female carries her cocoon in her mandibles. Two genera occur each
represented by a single species, Artema atlanta and Crossopriza lyoni. The
latter is a common house spider. It spins an extremely fine irregular
cobweb, from which it hangs upside down. It prefers Old dark and
abandoned houses. No cocoon is made but the eggs are glued together and
FAUNA 515