Macrogradungula Explained

Macrogradungula is a monotypic genus of Australian large-clawed spiders containing the single species, Macrogradungula moonya. It was first described by Raymond Robert Forster, Norman I. Platnick & Michael R. Gray in 1987,^[1] and has only been found in Australia.^[2] It is classified under the family Gradungulidae, superfamily Austrochiloidea, and suborder Araneomorphae.^{[3] [4]}

Distribution

Macrogradungula moonya is currently known from three disjunct localities in northeastern Queensland, Australia. The first specimens were recovered from rainforest sink holes in Boulder Creek, Walter Hill Range.^{[5] [6]} Other specimens were reported from caves and cavities among boulder fields in the mountains of the Kalkajaka National Park and Mount Bartle Frere. It is unknown if these other populations may represent new species.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Forster. R. R.. Platnick. N. I.. Gray. M. R..
2. Gen. Macrogradungula Gray, 1987. World Spider Catalog Version 20.0. 2019-06-07. 2019. Natural History Museum Bern. 10.24436/2.
3. Web site: Checklist of Australian Spiders Version 1.24. Volker W. Framenau. 2013-09-15. Australasian Arachnological Society. 2013-10-05.
4. Web site: Macrogradungula moonya Gray, 1987. Atlas of Living Australia. 2013-10-05.
5. Graham A.. Milledge. 1997. A new species of Progradungula Forster & Gray (Araneae: Gradungulidae) from Victoria. Memoirs of the Museum of Victoria. 56. 1. 65–68. 10.24199/j.mmv.1997.56.02 .
6. Book: Goosem, Stephen. Update of Original Wet Tropics of Queensland Nomination Dossier. Wet Tropics Management Authority. 2002. 16.
7. Patrick J.. Couper. Conrad. J. Hoskin . amp. 2008. Litho-refugia: the importance of rock landscapes for the long-term persistence of Australian rainforest fauna. Australian Zoologist. 34. 4. 554–560. 10.7882/az.2008.032. free.