#arkyidae

Horned Triangular Spider (Arkys cornutus), family Arkyidae, Narara, NSW, Australia

Triangular Spider (Arkys enigma), family Arkyidae, VIC, Australia

This spider was previously only known from Tasmania. This is the first observation of this species from Victoria.

Triangular Spider (Arkys bulburinensis), family Arkyidae, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Arkys walckenaeri, one of the Triangular Spiders. Related to your more usual Orbweavers, but argument continues as to whether they should be in their own family. Unlike their relatives, Arkys are ambush predators, grabbing unsuspecting prey with their spiny forelegs, and generally behaving more like crab spiders than orbweavers.

Tricia Ross’ observation, here in Perth.

Arkys are ambush predators, which makes the bright colour and silver dimples of this species a bit odd, but the long spiny legs are still effective against anything that wanders within reach. Other Arkys may be similarly colourful, or more cryptically disguised. They appear to have evolved from more ordinary orb-weaving spiders that have abandoned web-building and gone back to a more hands-on hunting style.

Found across Australia’s hinterland and east coast, mostly in the southern states.