Story: Evolution of plants and animals

Black tunnel-web spider (3rd of 3)

Black tunnel-web spider

Only about 10% of New Zealand spiders are Mygalomorphs, which are a primitive group of spiders. Most New Zealand spiders are the more advanced Araneomorphs. The Mygalomorph group includes some of the more spectacular large spiders such as the black tunnel-web spider (Porrhothele antipodiana) which is related to tunnel-web spiders in Australia. New Zealand has about 1,100 named species of spiders, most of which are endemic (only found in New Zealand).

Using this item

Private collection
Photograph by Simon Pollard

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Matt McGlone, 'Evolution of plants and animals - Split from Gondwana', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12423/black-tunnel-web-spider (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Matt McGlone, published 24 Sep 2007