Ornodolomedes, commonly known as rainforest sprites,[1] is a genus of Australian spiders in the family Dolomedidae. The genus and its ten known species were described by Robert Raven & Wendy Hebron in 2018.

Taxonomy

The genus Ornodolomedes was described by Australian arachnologists Robert Raven and Wendy Hebron in a 2018 review of the family Pisauridae.[1][2] The name Ornodolomedes is a combination of the words ornate and Dolomedes. Ten newly described species were placed in the genus upon its description, with Ornodolomedes benrevelli designated as the type species.[1] Ornodolomedes was placed in the family Pisauridae upon its initial description, but would be transferred to the family Dolomedidae in 2025.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

Ornodolomedes species are known from the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.[1][2] They are arboreal and can be found on bark and leaves in rainforests, vine thickets, and riverine areas within eucalypt forests.[1]

Species

This genus includes the following species:[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Raven, R. J.; Hebron, W. (2018). "A review of the water spider family Pisauridae in Australia and New Caledonia with descriptions of four new genera and 23 new species". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature. 60: 233–381. doi:10.17082/j.2204-1478.60.2018.2017-06.
  2. ^ a b c d "Gen. Ornodolomedes Raven & Hebron, 2018". World Spider Catalog. Version 25.5. Bern, Switzerland: Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  3. ^ Morris, Sarah A.; Hazzi, Nicolas A.; Hormiga, Gustavo (2025). "Molecular phylogenetics of nursery web spiders (Araneae: Pisauridae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 203: 108247. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108247.
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