| Gasteracantha remifera | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Araneidae |
| Genus: | Gasteracantha |
| Species: | G. remifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Gasteracantha remifera | |
Gasteracantha remifera is a species of spiny orb-weaver spider in the genus Gasteracantha . [1] It is found in Sri Lanka and India, and it has a pair of long, club-shaped spines on its abdomen.
Female G. remifera have hard, yellow, shell-like abdomens marked with 20 black sigilla and armed with three pairs of spines. The middle pair of spines is up to twice as long (to 15 millimeters) as the abdomen is wide (about 7 millimeters). These long spines become narrower toward the middle but swell toward the end, giving them a club-shaped appearance. The shafts of these long median spines bear whitish hairs. The front (anterior) and rear (posterior) pairs of spines are small and sharp, with the rear pair longer than the front pair. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Photograph of female G. remifera from Sri Lanka.
The male of this species has not been scientifically described. [1]
19th- and early 20th-century authors described several specimens from Sri Lanka. In 1914, Dahl described 13 specimens, all from Sri Lanka. [4] The species is also documented from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [6] In 1982, B.K. Tikader included "India: Tamil Nadu; Borively National Park, Maharashtra" in his species distribution notes for G. remifera. [5]
In India, G. dalyi also has long median spines, but these taper gradually to a point, lacking the club-like ends possessed by G. remifera. [4] [5] G. clavatrix of Sulawesi was confused with this species by Karsch in 1892, but G. clavatrix has median spines shorter than the width of the abdomen and clad with dark hairs. [4] Macracantha arcuata has much longer, thinner, and more curved median spines without club-shaped ends or whitish hairs.
Austracantha is a genus of spider with a single species, Austracantha minax, commonly known as the jewel spider or the Christmas spider. It is a member of the family Araneidae and is endemic to Australia. They are relatively small spiders, reaching a maximum total body length of only around 12 mm (0.47 in) for females, and 5 mm (0.20 in) for males. Their abdomen has six distinctive projections ("spines") that makes them easy to identify. They are predominantly a shiny black, with variable white, yellow, and orange patterns. Melanistic forms also occur during autumn. They are facultatively gregarious, and can be found in large aggregations of overlapping orb webs. They feed on small flying insects that get entangled in their webs. They are harmless to humans, though the webs can be a nuisance for bushwalkers. They are most abundant during the summer months.
Gasteracantha is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first named by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1833. The females of most species are brightly colored with six prominent spines on their broad, hardened, shell-like abdomens. The name Gasteracantha is derived from the Greek gaster (γαστήρ), meaning "belly, abdomen", and akantha (άκανθα), meaning "thorn, spine". Spiny-backed orb-weavers are sometimes colloquially called "crab spiders" because of their shape, but they are not closely related to the true crab spiders. Other colloquial names for certain species include thorn spider, star spider, kite spider, or jewel spider.
Phausina is a genus of Asian jumping spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1902.
Poecilotheria is a genus of Asian tarantulas that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1885. They are arboreal tarantulas, commonly known as ornamental tarantulas, known for their vivid color patterns, fast movement, and potent venom compared to other tarantulas. As of 2019 all species are protected under CITES.
Gasteracantha cancriformis is a species of orb-weaver spider. It is widely distributed in the New World.
Gasteracantha versicolor, known as the long-winged kite spider, is a species of diurnal spiny orb-weaver of the family Araneidae. It is found in the tropics and sub-tropics, where it occurs in forests. It has an extensive range, from central, east and southern Africa to Madagascar.
Gasteracantha geminata is a species of spider of the genus Gasteracantha, found in India and Sri Lanka. It is known as the oriental spiny orb-weaver.
Macracantha is a genus of Asian orb-weaver spiders recognized as containing a single species, Macracantha arcuata. Macracantha is notable for the extremely long, curved spines on the abdomens of female members of the genus; Eugène Simon created the taxon name from the Greek words μακρός and ἄκανθα (spine). It occurs from India and China through Southeast Asia to Borneo.
Gasteracantha kuhli is a species of spiny orb-weaver spider in the genus Gasteracantha, widespread from India to Japan, the Philippines, and Java in Indonesia. It is known as the black-and-white spiny spider.
Gasteracantha clavatrix is a species of spider of the genus Gasteracantha. It occurs in Indonesia.
Gasteracantha clavigera is a species of spider in the spiny orb-weaver genus Gasteracantha.
Gasteracantha diardi is a species of spider in the spiny orb-weaver genus Gasteracantha. It occurs in Southeast Asia.
Gasteracantha mengei is a species of spider in the spiny orb-weaver genus Gasteracantha. Its range includes Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, and Sumatra in Indonesia.
Gasteracantha quadrispinosa, the four-spined jewel spider, is a brightly coloured species of spider in the spiny orb-weaver genus Gasteracantha. It occurs in wet forests of Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea, where it builds vertical orb webs approximately 1.5 m across and hangs in the centre of the web to wait for prey.
Gasteracantha westringi is a species of spiny orb-weaver spider in the genus Gasteracantha. It is found in Australasia, including New Caledonia and Norfolk Island, and it has a wing-shaped abdomen armed with red and black spines.
Gasteracantha gambeyi is a species of spiny orb-weaver spider in the genus Gasteracantha. It was described from New Caledonia.
Gasteracantha interrupta is a species of spiny orb-weaver spider in the genus Gasteracantha. It is black and white in color, and it occurs in the Lesser Sundas and Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Gasteracantha recurva is a species of spiny orb-weaver spider in the genus Gasteracantha. It was described from Manila, Philippines in 1877.
Gasteracantha hecata is a species of spider in the spiny orb-weaver genus Gasteracantha. It occurs in the Philippines and has prominent horn-like spines on its abdomen.
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