{{Short description|Extinct genus of spiders}} {{Speciesbox |fossil_range= {{fossil_range|37.2|33.9|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=257466 |title=†''Electrocteniza'' Eskov and Zonstein 2000 (cork-lid trapdoor spider)|website=Fossilworks}}</ref>}}Early Eocene |taxon = Electrocteniza sadilenkoi |parent_authority = Eskov & Zonstein, 2000 |authority = Eskov & Zonstein, 2000 }}
'''''Electrocteniza''''' is an extinct monotypic genus of spider in the family Ctenizidae. At present, it contains the single species '''''Electrocteniza sadilenkoi'''''.<ref name="Eskov2000">{{cite Eskov Zonstein 2000}}</ref> The genus is solely known from the Early Eocene<ref name="Wolfe2009">{{cite journal |last1=Wolfe |first1=A. P. |year=2009 |title=A new proposal concerning the botanical origin of Baltic amber |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=276 |issue=1672 |pages=3403–3412 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2009.0806 |pmid=19570786 |pmc=2817186|display-authors=etal}}</ref> Baltic amber deposits in the Baltic Sea region of Europe.<ref name="Eskov2000"/>
==History and classification== ''Electrocteniza sadilenkoi'' is known only from one fossil, the holotype, number "PIN, no. 363/88". It is a single male individual preserved in a clear amber specimen with several unidentified insects associated.<ref name="Eskov2000"/> The amber specimen was first identified as significant while residing in a private collection housed in Moscow, Russia. The specimen was then donated to the Paleontological Institute of the Russian Academy of Science in Moscow.<ref name="Eskov2000"/> ''E. sadilenkoi'' was first studied by Kirill Eskov and Sergei Zonstein, with their 2000 type description being published in the Russian ''Paleontological Journal''.<ref name="Eskov2000"/> The generic name was coined by K. Eskov and S. Zonstein as a combination of the Ancient Greek word ''electron'', meaning "amber", and ''Cteniza'', the modern trapdoor spider genus for which the family was named.<ref name="Eskov2000"/> This is in reference preservation of the type specimen and the genus that ''Electrocteniza'' is possibly related. The specific epithet "''sadilenkoi''" was designated by K. Eskov and S. Zonstein in honor of the collector of the specimen, K. M. Sadilenko.<ref name="Eskov2000"/>
==Description== ''Electrocteniza sadilenkoi'' is {{convert|5.88|mm|in}} in length when the chelicerae are included in the measurement. Of that length the carapace is {{convert|2.63|mm|in}} and the abdomen is {{convert|2.50|mm|in}}. The shape and general structure of the carapace indicates a close relationship to the modern genera ''Latouchia'' from Asia and ''Sterrochrotus'' (a synonym of ''Cteniza'') from South Africa. There are several differences between the genera. In general, ''Electrocteniza's'' eye tubercle is raised higher than ''Latouchia'' and ''Sterrochrotus''. Unlike the modern genera of Ctenizidae, ''Electrocteniza'' has completely spineless tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi on legs I and II and chelicera which lack a rastellum.<ref name="Eskov2000"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3050591}}
Category:Ctenizidae Category:Mygalomorphae genera † Category:Prehistoric life of Europe Category:Eocene arthropods Category:Fossil taxa described in 2000 Category:Baltic amber