Family LAMPONIDAE Simon, 1893
Introduction
The family Lamponidae as recognised here (following Platnick 2000), is endemic to the Australian Region. It includes 21 genera, represented by 186 species from Australia, and one genus endemic to New Caledonia. One species of Lampona is recorded from both Australia and New Zealand, and another is endemic to New Guinea; Lamponova wau is described from New Guinea and also recorded from Australia.
Among Lampona species is Lampona cylindrata (L. Koch), commonly called the 'white-tailed spider' which is often found in and around buildings, and which has been suspected to be responsible for cases where bites to humans have led to severe necrosis. However, it seems likely that bacteria carried on the spider mouthparts may be responsible for the necrotic lesions, rather than the spider venom.
General References
Platnick, N.I. 2000. A relimitation and revision of the Australasian ground spider family Lamponidae (Araneae: Gnaphosoidea). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 245: 1-330