Spelungula is a monotypic genus of South Pacific large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Spelungula cavernicola, or the Nelson cave spider.

Taxonomy

This species was described in 1987 by Ray Forster from specimens collected in caves around Nelson. The holotype is stored at Te Papa Museum under registration number AS.000014.

Etymology

The genus name is derived from "spelunca", which is latin for cave and is feminine in gender. The species name "cavernicola" refers to the species restriction to caves.

Description

It is New Zealand's largest known spider, with a leg span of 13 to 15 cm and a body length of 2.4 cm, and its main prey is cave weta.

Distribution/habitat

This species is only known from caves in northwestern Nelson, New Zealand.

Conservation status

It is one of the few spider species afforded legal protection under the New Zealand Wildlife Act. It is classified as "Range Restricted" and stable in the New Zealand Threat Classification System. In May 2022, the Crazy Paving Cave in Kahurangi National Park, where the spiders are known to breed, was closed for a year in an attempt to help the population to recover.

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