Morebilus fumosus

Fact Box Species: Morebilus fumosus (identification based on a paper by Norman Platnick; see notes below) Family: Trochanteriidae Body length: female: 15 mm male: 11 mm Habitat: Under loose bark in eucalypt forests Toxicity: Uncertain; may be aggressive when defending its egg sac

Preserved male An adult female Rebilus lugubris?

The front parts of this spider are typically reddish brown in colour but the abdomen and chelicerae may be charcoal grey or black. The body is flattened and the legs curve forward in a fashion somewhat similar to that seen among huntsman species. The spinnerets are too short to be seen from above, unlike Hemicloea species (formerly in the Family Gnaphosideae but now listed in the Trochanteriidae) which otherwise are reasonably similar in overall appearance.

Note that Hemicloea species can be seen to have three pairs of finger-like spinnerets when viewed from underneath whereas those members of the Family Trochanteriidae that resemble Hemicloea have two very short pairs of spinnerets and a central pair of parallel rows of silk-secreting spigots. In addition, the outer segments of the first two pairs of legs on the trochanteriids such as Morebilus fumosus have visible spines whereas the legs of Hemicloea species only have some fine hairs.

It is very difficult to distinguish between Morebilus and the less common Rebilus and it is for this reason an image included on this page is shown as a possible Rebilus lugubris photo.

Known Range: This species has been recorded around Cairns and from Rockhampton to the NSW border as well as occasionally around Sydney.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Some other trochanteriids and also Hemicloea rogenhoferi.