Liphistius is a genus of basal trapdoor spiders in the family Liphistiidae. They are found in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

Quick Facts Liphistius, Scientific classification ...

Liphistius
undetermined Liphistius species
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Mesothelae
Family:	Liphistiidae
Genus:	Liphistius Schiødte, 1849[1]
Species
67.

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The genus Liphistius was erected by Jørgen M. C. Schiødte in 1849.^[1] Schiødte spelt the name Lipistius;^[2] this was corrected to Liphistius by Tamerlan Thorell in 1869.^[3] Liphistius is from the Greek leipo (lacking) and stios (equality).^[4]

Female body lengths range from 9 to 29 mm; males are slightly smaller. They live in burrows in earthen banks, on some cave walls, and probably in forests. The burrow is sealed with a thin, circular, woven door, which is disguised with soil and moss. While they spend the day deep inside their burrows, at night they wait just below the door for insects, woodlice, and similar invertebrates that stumble over one of the seven silken threads that radiate from the entrance. With a reluctance to leave their burrows, they push up the door and reach for their prey.^[5]

As of September 2022^[update], the World Spider Catalog accepts 67 species:^[1]

Three of the Liphistius species known to exist in Malaysia are endemic to only one or two caves. The most well known is Liphistius batuensis, which is found in Batu Caves.^[6] Other species found in Malaysia include Liphistius malayanus, Liphistius murphyorum and Liphistius desultor. The Malaysian trapdoor spiders are protected by local law, though continuous threats come from loss of habitat and collection by exotic pet traders. It is believed that these species are endemic and once an isolated habitat is destroyed, the species may go extinct.^{[citation needed]}