| Wafer trapdoor spiders |
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The wafer trapdoor spiders (family Cyrtaucheniidae) are a widespread family of spider that lacks the thorn-like spines on tarsi and metatarsi I and II (the two outermost leg segments) found in true trapdoor spiders (Ctenizidae). Many, but not all, make wafer-like doors to their burrows, while others build the cork-like doors found commonly in the true trapdoor spiders. The family is well represented in the United States, Mexico, South America, and Africa. Common U.S. genera include Myrmekiaphila , Aptosticus and Promyrmekiaphila . A currently undescribed genus in the western United States may hold an elevational record for the family, being found up to over 11,000 feet. The biology of nearly all the species is poorly known.
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