Megahexuridae
Web builder, using an exposed sheet web with a funnel-shaped retreat to capture prey.
Megahexura fulva is the only known species in the genus Megahexura and the family Megahexuridae. Discovered in 1919, this spider is native to California in the United States. It is distinctive for its habit of constructing an exposed sheet web with a funnel-shaped retreat within holes and crevices on ravine banks.
Key Facts
- ›The only species in its genus and family, Megahexura fulva.
- ›Discovered in 1919.
- ›Native to California, USA.
- ›Builds exposed sheet webs with funnel-shaped retreats.
- ›Inhabits holes and crevices along ravine banks.
United States
- Builds An Exposed Sheet Web With A Funnel-Shaped Retreat.
About Megahexuridae
Megahexura fulva
Megahexura fulva is a species of spider notable for being the sole representative of its genus, Megahexura, and its taxonomic family, Megahexuridae. Discovered in 1919, this spider is indigenous to the state of California in the United States. Its presence is marked by a distinctive method of web construction and habitat preference.
Habitat and Web Construction
This species constructs its home in specific microhabitats, favoring holes and crevices found along the banks of ravines. The webs built by Megahexura fulva are characterized as exposed sheet webs, distinguished by an accompanying funnel-shaped retreat. This retreat serves as a safe haven and a strategic point from which the spider likely ambushes its prey.
Taxonomic Significance
The genus Megahexura and the family Megahexuridae are defined by this single species, making Megahexura fulva of particular interest from a taxonomic perspective. As of January 2026, it remains the only recognized member of this lineage, highlighting its unique evolutionary position.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Megahexura fulva?
Megahexura fulva is a species of spider, and it is the only known species within its genus, Megahexura, and its family, Megahexuridae. It was discovered in 1919 and is native to California.
Where does Megahexura fulva live?
This spider is native to the United States, specifically found in California. Its preferred habitat is within holes and crevices along ravine banks.
What kind of web does Megahexura fulva build?
Megahexura fulva constructs an exposed sheet web. This web features a distinctive funnel-shaped retreat, typically located within holes and crevices.
When was Megahexura fulva discovered?
Megahexura fulva was discovered in the year 1919. It remains the sole species in its genus and family as of current records.
Related Spider species
Agelenidae
The Agelenidae, commonly known as funnel weavers, are a large family of spiders found globally. They are distinguished by their fast running speeds and the construction of flat sheet webs with a funnel-shaped retreat. While most species are solitary, some African species exhibit parasocial behavior, living in communal webs.
Amaurobiidae
Amaurobiidae is a family of spiders characterized by their three-clawed feet and the presence of either a cribellum or its absence. These spiders are typically found in crevices, hollows, or under stones, where they construct retreats and are often captured in pitfall traps. While widespread, they can be challenging to distinguish from closely related spider families.
Anapidae
Anapidae is a diverse family of small spiders, with most species measuring less than two millimeters in length. These spiders are found worldwide, inhabiting leaf litter and moss in rainforest environments. A distinctive characteristic of many Anapidae species is their ability to build small orb webs, often less than three centimeters in diameter.