Araneus triguttatus
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Araneus triguttatus |
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| ( Fabricius , 1793) |
Araneus triguttatus ( synonym : Atea triguttata ) is a spider from the family of the real orb web spiders (Araneidae), which isvery similar tothe shoulder spider ( Araneus sturmi ).
features
The males of Araneus triguttatus reach a body length of up to 4.5 millimeters, the females are, like most adult spiders, noticeably larger and reach a body length of 6 millimeters. This makes them somewhat larger than the females and males of the related shoulder cross spider. Seen from above, the abdomen is almost triangular in shape. It is a little wider than it is long. Its basic color is yellowish to brown and it is covered with fine hairs. At each of the two front corners there is a brown stain that is curved towards the back. Behind it there are usually three brown transverse bands on a light background. The sternum on the underside of the spider is as bright as the hips .
The red-brown legs are provided with light, yellowish-white ringlets and long bristles. The males have longer legs and a slimmer abdomen than the females.
Similar species
Araneus triguttatus is outwardly difficult to distinguish from the shoulder spider ( Araneus sturmi ), since both species have the characteristic shoulder spots and a large variability of the markings on the abdomen. A microscopic examination of the genitals is required to determine the two types with certainty. The males of Araneus sturmi have three short tips on the process (apophysis) of the tegulum on the pedipalp . The distance between these tips is even. In Araneus triguttatus , however, the apophysis has three long tips, two of which are closer together. In the females of Araneus sturmi the epigyne has an elongated scapus, in Araneus triguttatus the scapus is shorter and distally very wide.
Occurrence
Araneus triguttatus is widespread in the Palearctic and is also found in large parts of Europe. In Northern Europe it is rather rare, in Northern Europe it occurs only in Sweden. In some south-east European countries and in some states in the Caucasus region it has not been detected.
It can be found on trees and shrubs, mainly on deciduous trees. The related shoulder cross spider, on the other hand, inhabits mainly coniferous forests.
Way of life
Araneus triguttatus usually weaves its wheel net at the edge of the forest on deciduous trees and bushes, especially between the leaves of oaks . The animals are nocturnal.
Initial description
The species was first described by Johann Christian Fabricius in 1793 as Aranea triguttata .
literature
- Heiko Bellman: The cosmos spider guide. Over 400 species in Europe. Kosmos Naturführer, Kosmos (Franckh-Kosmos), 1st edition, 2010, p. 136, ISBN 978-3-440-10114-8
- Johann Christian Fabricius : Entomologiae systematica emendata et aucta, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species adjectis synonimis, locis, observationibus, descriptionibus. Volume 2, 1793, p. 419 (first description)
Web links
Araneus triguttatus in the World Spider Catalog
- Araneus triguttatus in Fauna Europaea
- Araneus triguttatus Photos at Biolib
- Araneus triguttatus distribution maps for Germany, Arachnologische Gesellschaft eV
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Araneus triguttatus at Araneae, Spiders of Europe, University of Bern
- ↑ Araneus sturmi at Araneae, Spiders of Europe, University of Bern
- ↑ Natural History Museum of the Burgergemeinde Bern: World Spider Catalog Version 15.5 - Araneus triguttatus . Retrieved September 7, 2014.
- ↑ a b Araneus triguttatus Spider and Harvestmen Recording Scheme website, the national recording schemes for spiders and harvestmen in Britain