DSC_6091 Piano Flat spider (Pianoa isolata) is a 'living fossil' - an ancient representative of the first spiders that 'made do' without webs, and lived a free-living, hunting existance. Large proclaws on the end of the first and second pair of legs are used to seize prey which is then bitten repeatedly. Once believed to be found only around Piano Flat, it has now been found throughout Waikaia Forest as well as other locations in northern Southland and West Otago. It is one of only two protected spiders in NZ - the other being the Nelson cave spider (Spelungula cavernicola). Piano Flat, Waikaia Forest *
DSC_6082 Piano Flat spider (Pianoa isolata) is a 'living fossil' - an ancient representative of the first spiders that 'made do' without webs, and lived a free-living, hunting existance. Large proclaws on the end of the first and second pair of legs are used to seize prey which is then bitten repeatedly. Once believed to be found only around Piano Flat, it has now been found throughout Waikaia Forest as well as other locations in northern Southland and West Otago. Piano Flat, Waikaia Forest *
