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The genus Thanatus differs from Philodromus in the relative position
of the eyes, and in the relative lengths of the legs. Carapace scarcely
longer than wide. Anterior row of eyes close together and both rows
recurved and form together a crescent-shaped area; posterior eyes
equidistant. Abdomen oval, not appreciably enlarged or truncated behind
and marked with a lance-shaped band. Tarsi and metatarsi armed with
scopulae. These spiders live on ground or low plants and tall grass. The
genus is widely distributed in Europe and America and recently two
species were described from India. Both occur in Maharashtra.
The genus Tibellus has the cephalothorax appreciably longer than
wide. The change in position of the eyes has gone further than in the genus
Thanatus, and the eyes of the anterior row with the posterior median pair
form a small compact hexagonal group from which the posterior laterals
are conspicuously removed. Abdomen long and cylindrical or cigarshaped.
Legs relatively long, bearing scopulae on both tarsi and metatarsi.
These spiders are found on grass and on bushes; when at rest the legs are
stretched out longitudinally two pairs forward and two backward.
Represented by four species in the State.
Spiders of the family Lycosidae have the cephalothorax high,
narrowing in front; eyes of anterior row small, forming straight or slightly
curved line, eyes of posterior row strongly recurved. Legs spiny, III legs
shorter than the others, tarsi with three claws and claw-tufts absent.
Abdomen oval or elongated, spinners forming a compact group, generally
sub-equal in length. These spiders, commonly called the hunting or wolf
spiders, are very fast runners. They catch their prey on foot. Only a few
genera of this family, such as Hippasa spin a tabular retreat, which
expands externally into a broad sheet. Other members of the family dig a
tabular tunnel in the ground. The cocoon is carried by the female, attached
to her spinners. The young on hatching, are carried by their mother on her
back for some time.
The genus Hippasa has the anterior row of eyes wider than posteriors;
posterior eyes more widely separated. Posterior spinners considerably
longer than the anteriors. These spiders spin a silken thread, which
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