Gastroxya

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Gastroxya
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Gastroxya
Benoit, 1962 [1]
Type species
G. schoutedeni
Benoit, 1962
Species

4, see text

Gastroxya is a genus of African orb-weaver spiders first described by Belgian arachnologist Pierre L.G. Benoit in 1962. [2]

Contents

Description

The carapace of spiders in this genus is wider than it is long and is covered by white setae, with a longitudinal fovea. [3]

The eyes are arranged in two rows, with the lateral eyes closely spaced near the lateral edge of the carapace. The cheliceral furrow contains two rows of teeth, and the sternum has a curved tip. The dorsum of the abdomen features a double row of 18 marginal sigilla, while four sigilla form a trapezoid medially with an additional double row on the posterior border, and the ventral surface lacks protuberances. [3]

The epigyne consists of a longitudinal crest that is flanked by two deep round indentations. The femur of the male palp bears a strong tooth at its base. [3]

Species

As of September 2025, this genus includes four species: [1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Genus Gastroxya". World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2 . Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  2. Benoit, P. L. G. (1962). "Monographie des Araneidae-Gasteracanthinae africains (Araneae)". Annales, Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Sciences zoologiques. 112 (Sc. Zool): 1–70.
  3. 1 2 3 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N.; Webb, P. (2022). The Araneidae of South Africa. Version 2: part 2 (E-Ne). South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 12. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6619195. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.