Eilica species

Fact Box Species: Eilica species (Identification by Dr Robert Raven, Queensland Museum) Family: Gnaphosidae Body length: female: about 7 mm male: about 6 mm Habitat: This species may be found on bare ground, or in dry grass or leaf litter, often near ant nests (see below). Toxicity: The toxicity of the venom of this spider is unknown

Distinguishing features of this spider are its wide spread of spinnerets, its colour scheme and the shape of its cephalothorax. Its species name is uncertain but it appears to have characteristics similar to those of Eilica contacta as described by Norman Platnick in his 1975 paper: "A Revision of the Spider Genus Eilica (Araneae, Gnaphosidae)" American Museum Novitates 2578, pages 1-19. Unfortunately, Platnick presented no photos of Australian Eilica species and also stated that the abdominal markings on the E. contacta specimen he used to describe the species were damaged due to its long preservation period. However, Platnick did note that the known range of E. contacta is mid-eastern Queensland to Northern NSW and the specimen shown above was found on the lower edge of this range.

Note that Eilica species tend to be fast-moving spiders and are often found in close association with ground-level ant nests. It is said that they usually feed exclusively on ants.

Known Range: This genus is known all over Australia and Tasmania but the species shown above seems to be restricted to middle-eastern Queensland and Northern NSW.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Some corinnids.