Liphistius batuensis is a species of trapdoor spider from Malaysia. It is thought to be restricted to the Batu Caves and a cave in Templer Park, near Kuala Lumpur.[1] It was first collected by H. C. Abraham in 1923, and has been described as a living fossil.[2]
Adults build a nest about 40mm50mm long with an opening some 22mm wide, from which six to 10 strands of silk radiate out 12.5- in a semicircle. The movement of an insect against these threads is detected by the spider, which then rushes out and captures the insect.[2] Spiderlings build smaller nests, only 10mm across, and seem to abandon these during development to build a bigger nest; intermediate sizes of nests are not seen.[2]
Spiders of all ages may fall prey to cave-dwelling centipedes.[2]