Genus: Selenotypus POCOCK 1895
Currently the genus Selenotypus is monotypic, meaning there is only one species from the genus known, S.plumipes, discovered living off the coastline of Northern Qld. Despite the location of the genotype and the fact the genus is currently monotypic, representatives are in fact spread far and wide across much of arid Australia and many more species are soon to be described by Dr Raven. Spiders from this genus are often found in semi-arid habitat in obligate burrows, in fact they have adapted life to suit the harsh environment over a long period of time, it seems ancestors from this group were present in the region prior to the breakup of Gondwanaland. This genus is remarkable in the arid adaptions it has adopted to suit it's harsh and seemingly dry lifestyle. They are capable of digging burrows in hard and difficult terrain and have adapted unique ways of surviving both flood and drought conditions. Being endemic to Australia, these beautiful tarantulas are a great representative of our unique theraphosid fauna. They differ from other Selenocosmiinae in the structure of the stridulating organ, the elongate unilobular spermethecal receptacles, a very wide labium and arid zone lifestyle.
