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]

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
  • Ornithoscatoides ceylonica O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1884

References

  1. "Phrynarachne ceylonica (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1884)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  2. Agata, Blaszczak-Boxe (2 September 2015). "Zoologger: A spider that looks and smells like bird droppings". New Scientist. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  3. "Bird Dung Spider (Phrynarachne ceylonica) in Sumatra Indonesia". My Shot Gallery of Bengkulu. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2016.


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