Progradungula

Progradungula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Gradungulidae
Genus:	Progradungula Forster & Gray, 1979
Species
See text.
Diversity
2 species

Progradungula is a spider genus of the family Gradungulidae. It is remarkable for being the first web-building cribellate spider that was found within a "primitive" araneomorph spider family. This helped to establish the idea that all araneomorph spiders evolved from cribellate ancestors. This genus is endemic to parts of Australia.

The generic name is derived from Latin pro ("before"), and the genus name Gradungula, referring to the ancient ancestry of the genus.

Species

• Progradungula carraiensis Forster & Gray, 1979 (New South Wales)
• Progradungula otwayensis Milledge, 1997 (Victoria)

References

• Forster, R.R. & Gray, M.R. (1979). Progradungula, a new cribellate genus of the spider family Gradungulidae (Araneae). Australian Journal of Zoology 27(6):1051-1071. Abstract - doi:10.1071/ZO9791051
• Milledge, G. 1997. A new species of Progradungula Forster & Gray (Araneae: Gradungulidae)from Victoria. Mem. Mus. Vic. 56(1):65-68.