Gasteracantha kuhli

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.[1] It is known as the black-and-white spiny spider.[2]

Black-and-white spiny spider
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Gasteracantha
Species:
G. kuhli
Binomial name
Gasteracantha kuhli
C. L. Koch, 1837[1]

Description

Female black-and-white spiny spiders are 6-9 millimeters wide and possess hard, shiny abdomens armed with six black conical spines. The upper surface of the abdomen is white to yellowish with variable black or dark brown markings and sigilla. The central part of the abdomen's dorsal surface is usually marked with a dark cross-like shape. From individual to individual and across the species' range, the length of the spines and the details of the coloration vary considerably. Males are much smaller at 3-4 millimeters in size, and in place of spines, they have small bumps on their abdomens.[2][3][4][5]

Behavior

This species builds orb webs in open forests and shrubby areas and waits for prey in the center of the web.[2][5]

Similar species

Gasteracantha kuhli is replaced by a similar black-and-white species, Gasteracantha interrupta, on the Lesser Sundas and Sulawesi.

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References
  1. "Gasteracantha kuhli". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  2. Sebastian, P.A.; Peter, K.V., eds. (2009). Spiders of India. Hyderabad 500 029 (A.P.), India: Universities Press (India) Private Limited. pp. 154–155. ISBN 9788173716416.CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. Dahl, F. (1914). "Die Gasteracanthen des Berliner Zoologischen Museums und deren geographische Verbreitung". Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin. 7: 261–263.
  4. "Gasteracantha kuhli C. L. Koch, 1837". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  5. Kim, Seung-Tae; Lee, Sue-Yeon (2012). Invertebrate Fauna of Korea, Volume 21, Number 16. Incheon, 404-708, Republic of Korea: National Institute of Biological Resources. pp. 74–75. ISBN 9788997462698.CS1 maint: location (link)
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