Phrynarachne ceylonica
Phrynarachne ceylonica, the bird dung spider, is a species of spiders of the genus Phrynarachne. It is found in China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.[1] The species is known to discharge foul smell, which may help it attract prey and deter predators.[2] Its morphology is similar to bird's dung, and hence its common name. This strategy is used by the spider to catch prey who thinks that it is actually dung, not an animal.[3]
Male
Female with eggsac
| Bird dung spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Thomisidae |
| Genus: | Phrynarachne |
| Species: | P. ceylonica |
| Binomial name | |
| Phrynarachne ceylonica (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1884) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
References
- "Phrynarachne ceylonica (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1884)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- Agata, Blaszczak-Boxe (2 September 2015). "Zoologger: A spider that looks and smells like bird droppings". New Scientist. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- "Bird Dung Spider (Phrynarachne ceylonica) in Sumatra Indonesia". My Shot Gallery of Bengkulu. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
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