This obscure agamid lizard, native to Ethiopia and Somalia in eastern Africa was photographed in captivity in southeast Texas.
Size: approx 0.3-0.5mm.
No palps that I can see. Six eyes.
Shots a tad clearer this time, though cannot get clear image of epigyne.
Can see the concentric setal and integumentary arrangements, like thumbprint whorls. Setae with refractive properties. Tegument wrinkled, like elephant hide; the raised ridges with matte properties and the gullies with refractive.
When the spider is trying to conceal itself the contracture of tegument creates a matte, non reflective appearance, almost black, with the setae tucked firmly in between, out of sight. When expanded colours become visible as well as spectral sheen from visible setae.
No orb web observed. In captivity is constructing small tumble weed creations, the texture of carded wool, on the end of sticks. Or a 'web' of three or so, random angle, lines of silk with small globs on one of the lines.
In captivity only observed eating two other small spiders (Tekellina) that I had in the tank after reading that perhaps Symphytognathids were kleptoparasitic.
Sternum has unusual characteristics. Large depression in center of sternum with lipped edges which is flexible enough to bend outwards into a ridge that extends all the way to the labium.
Doesn't match up with 'globosa' in Hickman's description in terms of colour, setae, trichobothria, tegument, sternum, chelicera, dimensions or behavior but it's the only recorded species for Tasmania so let's pretend it's that for now.
Possibly an undescribed species. The spider is roughly a fourth the size of a pinhead and was guarding an egg sack containing a single egg
Found in cave, posted with permission from owner and handled under proper permits.
Found on Echinaster luzonicus starfish.