The arachnology and myriapod collections
The arachnology and myriapod collections cover the following classes of animals: Arachnida, Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Onychophora, Pauropoda, Symphyla, and Tardigrada. The Arachnida represent the largest proportion of the collections, at about 95%. The collections number about 76 000 registered lots (as at April 2002) and about 20 000 unregistered lots. This includes about 2 500 type lots of which about 750 are primary types. A lot consists of one or more specimens of a taxon with the same collection data. All registered lots are databased. The majority of the collections are stored in 75% ethyl alchohol, although there are small slide and dry collections.
The major portion of the Arachnology collections consists of spiders (Araneae), followed by harvestmen (Opiliones). The emphasis is on the New South Wales fauna, although there are significant holdings from other states (e.g. Tasmania) and regions.
Highlights include the largest collection of funnelweb spiders in Australia and the largest collection of harvestmen (Opilionida) in Australia. Spiders range in size from the tiny and bizarre Anapids at ˜1 mm in length, to Australia's largest spiders, the Theraphosids or Barking Spiders, which can reach a length of 60 mm and a leg span of 160 mm. The spider collection also includes examples of the worlds most primitive living spiders, the Liphistiids from South East Asia. Of historical interest are the collections of W.J.Rainbow and V.V.Hickman, well known Australian arachnologists of previous eras.
Access to the Arachnology and Myriapod collections and data can be arranged through the collection supervisor, Graham Milledge.
