Species profile · Published: 19 October 2026 · Reviewed: 31 October 2026

Cryptothele sundaica

Arachnid (Araneae)

Cryptothele sundaica is a spider of the genus Cryptothele known from a single male specimen collected in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The description of the male palp shows a thin and long embolus with a well-developed conductor, features that resemble those of Cryptothele alluaudi and differ from the broad and flat embolus characteristic of the type species Cryptothele verrucosa. The identification of the specimen is provisional and based on morphological comparison with reference material.

How to identify it

Documentary photograph: Cryptothele sundaica — Documentary photograph Photo by **portioid** Source: wikimedia_commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview Identification Ecology Sources

At a glance

Essentials

Distribution: Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, Indonesia (locality of the provisional specimen)
Habitat: Low jungle where the specimen was collected

Observation guide

What to look for

01
Male specimens of Cryptothele sundaica exhibit a thin and long embolus with a well-developed conductor in their palps, features that resemble those of Cryptothele alluaudi and differ from the broad and flat embolus of C. verrucosa.

An important limitation

Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.

Ecology

Description and characteristics

The male specimen of Cryptothele sundaica was described from an individual collected on December 7, 1980, in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra. The palp features a thin and long embolus with a well-developed conductor, a configuration that resembles that of Cryptothele alluaudi and differs from the broad and flat embolus of C. verrucosa. The identification is provisional; comparison with reference material suggests that C. sundaica may not belong to the same genus as C. verrucosa, opening the possibility of a future taxonomic separation.