Austracantha

{{Short description|Genus of spiders}} {{About|the Australian genus and species of spider|the North American jewel spider|Araneus gemmoides|the European folk tale|Legend of the Christmas Spider}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Speciesbox | name = Jewel spider | image = Austracantha minax 1 cropped.jpg | image_caption = Female from Aranda | image2 = Austracantha_minax_spider,_common_name,_Christmas_spider,_photographed_at_Darlington,_Western_Australia_on_4th_January_2013.jpg | image2_caption = Female from Darlington | taxon = Austracantha minax | authority = (Thorell, 1859)<ref name="wsc" /> | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = See text | synonyms = *''Gasteracantha astrigera'' L. Koch, 1871 *''Gasteracantha flavomaculata'' Keyserling, 1865 *''Gasteracantha lugubris'' L. Koch, 1871 *''Gasteracantha minax'' Thorell, 1859 *''Isacantha minax'' (Thorell, 1859) | synonyms_ref = <ref name="wsc" /> | parent_authority = Dahl, 1914<ref name="wsc" /> }}

'''''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 (the orb-weavers) and is endemic to Australia. They are relatively small spiders, reaching a maximum total body length of only around {{convert|12|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} for females, and {{convert|5|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} 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.

==Taxonomy and nomenclature== ''Austracantha minax'' is most commonly known as "jewel spiders" due to their body colouration.<ref name="hockings" /> This may sometimes be specified further as "Australian jewel spiders" due to the common name being shared with the unrelated North American jewel spider ''Araneus gemmoides'',<ref name="ram" /> as well as the widespread jewel box spider ''Gasteracantha cancriformis''.<ref name="weber" /> In some parts of Australia they are also widely known as "Christmas spiders" because they are most numerous during the summer months (December and January).<ref name="toodyay" /><ref name="chew" /><ref name="fas" /> Other common names for the species include "six-spined spiders" and "spiny spiders" in reference to the spine-like projections on their abdomens.<ref name="fqpb" /><ref name="smith" />

''Austracantha minax'' is classified under the monotypic genus ''Austracantha'' of the orb-weaver family Araneidae.<ref name="ala" /><ref name="rainbow" /> The generic name is derived from Latin ''auster'' ("south") and Greek ἄκανθα (''ákantha'', "thorn"). The specific name is from Latin ''mināx'' ("jutting out" or "projecting").<ref name="thorell" />

It was first described in 1859 by the Swedish arachnologist Tamerlan Thorell from a female specimen recovered from Sydney. He classified it under the genus ''Gasteracantha''.<ref name="thorell" /> In 1914, the German arachnologist Friedrich Dahl moved it to its own subgenus, ''Austracantha'', within ''Gasteracantha''.<ref name="dahl" /> ''Austracantha'' was elevated to genus in 1974 by the French arachnologist Michel Emerit.<ref name="wsc" /><ref name="emerit" /> ''Austracantha minax'' has five recognised subspecies.<ref name="wsc" /><ref name="fram" />

===Subspecies=== The five subspecies of ''Austracantha minax'' are the following:<ref name="wsc" /><ref name="fram" /> :thumb|A jewel spider building a web ::Synonyms indicated by (=) *'''''Austracantha minax astrigera''''' (L. Koch, 1871) - Found in mainland Australia.<ref name="wsc" /> Characterised by an abdomen that is mainly black on top and patterned with yellow on the bottom surfaces.<ref name="rainbow1909" /> The spines are thicker and curved, with the rear spines visibly longer than the side spines.<ref name="koch" /> The sternum (chest) has a bright orange spot.<ref name="hogg" /> First described by German arachnologist Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1871.<ref name="koch" /> The subspecific name is from Latin ''astriger'' ("star-bearing" or "starry"). ::(=) ''Gasteracantha astrigera'' L. Koch, 1871 ::(=) ''Gasteracantha minax astrigera'' (L. Koch, 1871) *'''''Austracantha minax minax''''' (Thorell, 1859) - Found in mainland Australia and surrounding islands, including Tasmania.<ref name="wsc" /> Characterised by yellow to orange colouration being prevalent on the bottom of the abdomen and on the legs. The spines are more slender and are barely arched. The rear spines are almost the same length as the side spines.<ref name="koch" /> This is the nominate subspecies. ::(=) ''Gasteracantha minax'' Thorell, 1859 ::(=) ''Gasteracantha flavomaculata'' Keyserling, 1865 ::(=) ''Isacantha minax'' (Thorell, 1859) *'''''Austracantha minax hermitis''''' (Hogg, 1914) - Endemic to the Montebello Islands.<ref name="wsc" /> The abdomen is pearl grey on top. The legs, cephalothorax, and the sternum are bright orange. First described by British arachnologist Henry Roughton Hogg in 1914.<ref name="hogg" /> The subspecific name means "from Hermite [Island]", one of the islands in the Montebello archipelago. ::(=) ''Gasteracantha minax hermitis'' Hogg, 1914b *'''''Austracantha minax leonhardii''''' (Strand, 1913) - Found in central Australia.<ref name="wsc" /> Characterised by reddish cephalothorax and mandibles. The legs are brownish-yellow, with only the second and third segments from the last (the tibiae and metatarsi) showing black rings at the tip. First described by Norwegian arachnologist Embrik Strand in 1913. It is named after the German anthropologist Moritz von Leonhardi, from whose spider collection the type specimen was obtained from.<ref name="strand" /> ::(=) ''Gasteracantha minax leonhardii'' Strand, 1913c *'''''Austracantha minax lugubris''''' (L. Koch, 1871) - Found in mainland Australia.<ref name="wsc" /> Characterised by legs and abdomen that are mostly black with no bright markings.<ref name="rainbow1909" /><ref name="hogg" /> The spines are slender and taper downwards. First described by German arachnologist Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1871.<ref name="koch" /> The subspecific name is from Latin ''lūgubris'' ("mournful" or "gloomy"). ::(=) ''Gasteracantha lugubris'' L. Koch, 1871 ::(=) ''Gasteracantha minax lugubris'' (L. Koch, 1871)

==Description== {{See also|Spider anatomy}} {{multiple image | align = right | direction = horizontal | header =Diagnostic images for ''Austracantha minax''<ref name="W1" /> | header_align = center | footer = | footer_align = center | width =150 | header_background =#d3d3a4 | footer_background = | background color = | image1 =Austracantha minax (female dorsal).jpg | width1 = | alt1 = | caption1 =Dorsal view (female) | image2 =Austracantha minax (female lateral).jpg | width2 = | alt2 = | caption2 = Lateral view (female) | image3 =Austracantha minax (female front).jpg | width3 = | alt3 = | caption3 =Head of female }}{{multiple image | align = right | direction = horizontal | header = | header_align = center | footer = | footer_align = center | width =150 | header_background =#d3d3a4 | footer_background = | background color = | image1 =Austracantha minax (male dorsal).jpg | width1 = | alt1 = | caption1 =Dorsal view (male) | image2 =Austracantha minax (male lateral).jpg | width2 = | alt2 = | caption2 = Lateral view (male) | image3 =Austracantha minax (male palp).jpg | width3 = | alt3 = | caption3 =Pedipalps of male }} Jewel spiders have a distinctive appearance that makes them relatively easy to identify.<ref name="anderson" /> The cephalothorax is black in colour with a bluish metallic sheen.<ref name="dondale" /> It is covered with small white hairs (setae).<ref name="koch" /> The carapace (upper part of the cephalothorax) is rectangular in shape.<ref name="dondale" /> The sternum (chest) is brownish black, with a yellow central area. The chelicerae (fangs) are black with four to six small teeth. The maxillae and other mouthparts are black at the base, lightening to brown and bright yellow at the tips. The pedipalps are dark brown.<ref name="koch" /><ref name="dondale" />

Jewel spiders have eight eyes arranged in two rows. The front row is recurved, with the two middle eyes (anterior median eyes) further in front than the two at the sides (anterior lateral eyes). The back row is procurved, with the two middle eyes (posterior median eyes) further in the back than the two at the sides (posterior lateral eyes).<ref name="dondale" /> The legs in females are predominantly dirty yellow to orange in colour.<ref name="ala" /><ref name="koch" /> Black tips are present on the last three segments of the legs (the tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi). The first pair of legs are longer than the others.<ref name="koch" /> In males, the legs are mostly black, with brownish tips.<ref name="dondale" />

The opisthosoma (abdomen) is large, slightly wider than it is long, and strongly rounded at the front and back.<ref name="koch" /><ref name="dondale" /> It is shiny black with bright colourful patterns. These colours can vary, but they are usually white, yellow, or yellow-orange.<ref name="mgregg" /> Its most distinctive feature are the three pairs of large "spines" projecting outwards. The first two pairs on the front are close to each other, forming a V-shape as they point to the sides. They are short and roughly conical. The spines on the rear are longer and point backwards. There are wide spaces between them and the two front pairs. The spines are black or brownish black from above, but has a yellow-orange to rusty red lower surfaces.<ref name="ala" /><ref name="koch" />

Jewel spiders are sexually dimorphic. Females are about twice as large as males, reaching {{convert|7|to|12|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} in total length.<ref name="hockings" /><ref name="chew" /><ref name="dondale" /> Their carapace (upper part of cephalothorax) is squarish, usually around {{convert|2.7|to|3|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} long and {{convert|2.5|to|3|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} wide.<ref name="dondale" />

Males are usually only around {{convert|3|to|5|mm|in|abbr=on|2}}.<ref name="fqpb" /><ref name="ala" /><ref name="ark" /> The carapace is slightly rectangular, usually around {{convert|2.1|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} long and {{convert|1.8|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} wide<ref name="dondale" /> They are also less colourful than females; with predominantly dark reddish brown bodies. The spines are blunt and are much shorter than the spines of the females. Like all mature male spiders, they are relatively easy to identify because of their greatly enlarged pedipalps used in sperm transfer during mating.<ref name="toodyay" /><ref name="dondale" /> [[File:Austracantha minax (yellow).jpg|thumb|A female yellow morph]] Jewel spiders exhibit colour polymorphism. They can be found in white, yellow, or red colour morphs.<ref name="herb2011" /> Jewel spiders found later in autumn (from March to April) are also sometimes melanistic, being entirely dark brown to black in colouration.<ref name="chew" /><ref name="ala" /><ref name="herb2011" /><ref name="archer" /> It is believed that the appearance of these colour morphs are triggered by environmental factors, rather than by genetics.<ref name="herb2011" /> For example, it has been speculated that the purpose of the melanistic colour morphs may be to facilitate better heat absorption during the colder months.<ref name="archer" />

==Distribution== Jewel spiders are endemic to Australia. They can be found all throughout the mainland, as well surrounding islands, including Tasmania, Barrow Island (Western Australia), and the Montebello Islands.<ref name="ala" /><ref name="padil" /><ref name="gorgon" /> They are more common on the southern regions of the continent, from southern Queensland and New South Wales, through Victoria and Southern Australia, to Western Australia. Though they can be found in the Northern Territory, they are less common and their place is usually taken by species from the genus ''Gasteracantha'' instead.<ref name="hogg" />

==Ecology and behaviour==

===Web-building and aggregations=== Jewel spiders are cathemeral, remaining active both day and night.<ref name="humph" /> Females build vertically-oriented orb webs about {{convert|1|to|2|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} from the ground and {{convert|0.45|to|1|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} in diameter.<ref name="chew" /><ref name="rainbow1909" /> They are circular with a very dense spiral pattern woven around twenty to thirty rays attached to support threads.<ref name="rainbow1909" /><ref name="nieuw" /> The rays do not meet at the centre, but are connected to a small central ring.<ref name="rainbow1909" /> [[File:Topside of jewel spider.jpg|thumb|left|A female on its orb web from the Victorian High Country]] Jewel spiders are unusual in that they deliberately make their support threads visible to larger animals. They do this by adding white silk tufts along the support threads at intervals of about {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|1}}. It is believed that this is to prevent larger animals from inadvertently walking into the webs and damaging them.<ref name="chew" /><ref name="walter2012" /> Nonetheless, the webs may sometimes be encountered damaged and reduced to only a few threads. The webs are more or less permanent, unlike many other orb weaver spiders which regularly destroy and rebuild their webs every day.<ref name="fas" /><ref name="nieuw" /> Females do not make retreats near their webs. Instead they rest in the centre of the web with their head downwards.<ref name="rainbow1909" /> Males are usually found on nearby vegetation.<ref name="cw" /> [[File:Jewel spider web.jpg|thumb|A large aggregation of jewel spider orb webs enshrouding a fenceline in rural Victoria]] Jewel spiders are facultatively gregarious.<ref name="elgar96" /><ref name="whitehouse" /> They can often be found living near each other in large overlapping aggregations of orb webs of usually thirty individuals.<ref name="ark" /> These can entirely blanket shrubs, tree branches, or man-made structures. A 1997 study observed that aggregations do not seem to increase the amount of prey caught, but it is believed that they still benefit the individual members in other ways. One such advantage is foraging efficiency. By attaching their webs to neighbouring webs, jewel spiders do not need to produce as much silk as they would have when building solitary orb webs.<ref name="lloyd" /> The use of neighbouring webs for support may also allow them to build webs in prey-rich areas they normally can not reach alone (such as the wide gaps between trees). Prey capture may further be enhanced by the creation of a "ricochet effect", wherein prey that escapes one web, may be caught by a neighbouring web.<ref name="whitehouse" /><ref name="rao" />

Aggregations were also observed to attract more males as well as protect the females from predators. However, the egg sacs in communal webs were attacked more often by parasitoids than the egg sacs laid by solitary females.<ref name="lloyd" />

===Reproduction and life cycle=== [[File:Austracantha minax egg sacs.jpg|thumb|Egg sacs attached to a grass stalk and a flower (Sydney, 1909)<ref name="rainbow1909" />]] After locating a receptive female, male jewel spiders will begin courtship by first attaching a "mating thread" from nearby plants to the edge of the female's orb web. It then positions itself in the middle of this thread and begins strumming it with their first and second pair of legs. The female will respond by moving towards the source of the vibrations, eventually climbing unto the mating thread itself. Once this happens, the male will wrap its legs around the female tightly and insert its pedipalps into the female's epigyne, transferring its spermatophores (silk packets containing sperm) into the female's spermathecae.<ref name="ark" /><ref name="elgar96" />

A female jewel spider can mate with multiple males during a single reproductive cycle. If given the chance, the female will still readily mate with other males shortly after a successful mating. To prevent sperm competition, the successful male will defend the female shortly before and after mating. It actively drives away other rival males until the female enters a refractory period and ceases to be receptive to further matings. This usually happens an hour to a day after a successful mating, during which the female will herself aggressively attack and drive away all courting males.<ref name="elgar96" />

Females usually attach their egg sacs on vegetation and other surfaces near the edges of their webs (including grass blades, leaves, and twigs). They are usually bound longitudinally with loose lengths of silk, but they can sometimes be found dangling.<ref name="rainbow1909" /><ref name="gaye" /> The egg sacs are around {{convert|15|to|35|mm|in|abbr=on|2}} in length and can vary in shape from circular to pointed at both ends. They are reddish brown to golden brown in colour, though rarely they may also be bright yellow. They are made from closely woven silk.<ref name="rainbow1909" /><ref name="cw" /><ref name="mv" />

The spiderlings overwinter within the egg sacs until early spring. Females reach sexual maturity at around the middle of January, while males mature earlier in the middle of December.<ref name="ark" /> [[File:Spider, Minax or Jewelled Female(Public domain).JPG|thumb|Female with prey wrapped in silk from Central Queensland]]

===Diet=== Jewel spiders are opportunistic predators. They prey on small flying insects like flies and mosquitoes that get entangled on their webs.<ref name="ark" /><ref name="cw" /><ref name="cannibal" />

==Relationship with humans== Jewel spiders are considered harmless,<ref name="toodyay" /><ref name="pitts" /> though their web aggregations can be a nuisance to bushwalkers.<ref name="mv" /> They are not aggressive and will invariably flee from potential threats.<ref name="fas" /><ref name="ala" /><ref name="rose" /> When disturbed, they will try to escape by clambering upside down along their support threads to nearby surfaces (albeit slowly due to their short stubby legs). Failing that, they will drop to the ground.<ref name="archer" /><ref name="gaye" />

Like almost all spiders, they possess venom glands which they use to subdue prey, but they rarely bite when handled. Their bites are only mildly painful to humans. Temporary reactions like redness, swelling, or itching can sometimes be experienced on the bite area.<ref name="fas" /><ref name="ala" /><ref name="anderson" />

In Perth and the rest of Western Australia, the appearance of jewel spiders in large numbers in gardens (as well as the flowering of ''Nuytsia floribunda'') is often associated with the coming of Christmas.<ref name="toodyay" /><ref name="pitts" /><ref name="jacob" />

==See also== *Social spiders *Spiny orb-weavers *''Thelacantha brevispina''

==References== <references> <ref name="wsc">{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/genus/286/Austracantha|title=Gen. ''Austracantha'' Dahl, 1914|work=World Spider Catalog|year=2014|publisher=Natural History Museum Bern|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="ala">{{cite web|url=http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Austracantha+minax#|title=''Austracantha minax'' (Thorell, 1859)|author=Catriona McPhee|date=2014|publisher=Atlas of Living Australia|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="anderson">{{cite web|url=http://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=1869|title=''Austracantha minax'' (Thorell, 1859) Australian Jewel Spider|author1=Robert Whyte |author2=Greg Anderson |name-list-style=amp |date=2014|publisher=Arachne.org.au|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="archer">{{cite web|url=http://esperancewildlife.blogspot.com/2010/06/christmas-spider-austracantha-minax.html|title=Christmas spider - ''Austracantha minax''|author=William Archer|date=4 June 2010|publisher=Esperance Fauna|access-date=4 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="ark">{{cite web|url=http://www.arkive.org/australian-jewel-spider/austracantha-minax/|title=Australian jewel spider (''Austracantha minax'')|author=ARKive|date=November 2012|publisher=Wildscreen|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027150057/http://www.arkive.org/australian-jewel-spider/austracantha-minax/|archive-date=27 October 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> <ref name="cannibal">{{cite book|author= Mt. Cannibal Flora And Fauna Reserve|title =Nature Trail Notes and Information|publisher =Cardinia Shire Council|url =http://www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/files/environment/mt_cannibal_trail_notes_web.pdf}}</ref> <ref name="chew">{{cite web|url=http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_weavers/JewelledSpiders.htm|title=Jewel Spider - ''Austracantha minax ''|author1=Tony Chew |author2=Sandy Chew |author3=Peter Chew |name-list-style=amp |date=13 July 2007|publisher=Brisbane Insects and Spiders |access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="cw">{{cite web|url=http://www.climatewatch.org.au/species/spiders/christmas-or-jewel-spider|title= Christmas or Jewel Spider|author= ClimateWatch|date=2012|publisher=Earthwatch Institute|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="dahl">{{cite journal|author=Friedrich Dahl|author-link=Friedrich Dahl|year=1914|title= Die Gasteracanthen des Berliner Zoologischen Museums und deren geographische Verbreitung|journal=Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin|volume=7|language=de|pages=235–301|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/68044#/summary}}</ref> <ref name="dondale">{{cite journal|author=Charles D. Dondale|year=1966|title=The spider fauna (Araneida) of deciduous orchards in the Australian Capital Territory|journal=Australian Journal of Zoology|volume=14|issue=6 |pages=1157–1192|doi=10.1071/ZO9661157 |url=http://www.arachne.org.au/_dbase_upl/dondale-1966.pdf}}</ref> <ref name="elgar96">{{cite journal|author1=Mark A. Elgar |author2=Rachael Bathgate |name-list-style=amp |year=1996|title=Female receptivity and male mate-guarding in the jewel spider ''Gasteracantha minax'' Thorell (Araneidae)|journal=Journal of Insect Behavior|volume=9|issue=5|pages=729–738|doi=10.1007/bf02213553|bibcode=1996JIBeh...9..729E |s2cid=44021211 }}</ref> <ref name="emerit">{{cite journal|author=Michel Emerit|year=1974|title= Arachnides araignées Araneidae Gasteracanthinae|journal= Faune Madagascar|volume=38|language= fr|pages=1–215}}</ref> <ref name="fas">{{cite web|url=http://www.findaspider.org.au/find/spiders/126.htm|title=Jewel or spiny spider|author=Ron Atkinson|date=19 January 2009|publisher=The Find-A-Spider Guide for the Spiders of Southern Queensland|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="fqpb">{{cite web|url=http://www.friendsofqueensparkbushland.org.au/austracantha-minax/|title= ''Austracantha minax''|date=2011|publisher=Friends of Queens Park Bushland|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="fram">{{cite web|url=http://www.australasian-arachnology.org/download/checklist_australian_spiders.pdf|title=Checklist of Australian Spiders Version 1.29|author= Volker W. Framenau|date=27 October 2014|publisher=Australasian Arachnological Society|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="gaye">{{cite web|url=http://hvbackyard.blogspot.com/2007/04/15-gem-of-spider.html|title=A Gem of a Spider |author=Gaye Drady|date=17 April 2007|publisher=Hunter Valley Backyard Nature|access-date=4 December 2014}}</ref> <ref name="gorgon">{{cite book|author=The Gorgon Venture|title=Barrow Island Short Range Endemics and Other Terrestrial Invertebrates (Biota Invertebrate Survey April 2005 Report)|publisher=Biota Environmental Sciences|date=April 2005|page=12–13|url=https://www.chevronaustralia.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/c4_terrestrial__part_3.pdf?sfvrsn=0|access-date=5 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210165207/https://www.chevronaustralia.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/c4_terrestrial__part_3.pdf?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=10 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="herb2011">{{cite book|author1=Marie Elisabeth Herberstein |author2=Anne Wignall |name-list-style=amp |editor =Marie Elisabeth Herberstein|title =Spider Behaviour: Flexibility and Versatility|chapter =Deceptive signals in spiders|publisher =Cambridge University Press|year =2011|pages=198–199|isbn = 9781139494786}}</ref> <ref name="hockings">{{cite book|author=F. David Hockings|title =Pests, Diseases and Beneficials: Friends and Foes of Australian Gardens|publisher =CSIRO Publishing|year =2014|page=132|isbn =9781486300228}}</ref> <ref name="hogg">{{cite journal|author=Henry Roughton Hogg|author-link=Henry Roughton Hogg|year=1914 |title=Spiders from the Montebello Islands |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=1914 |pages=69–92 |url=https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofzoo19141490zool }}</ref> <ref name="humph">{{cite journal|author=William F. 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==External links== *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9fb4qePifw Video of a jewel spider building a web] from YouTube *[http://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=1869 ''Austracantha minax'' (Thorell, 1859) Australian Jewel Spider] from [http://www.arachne.org.au/default.asp Arachne.org.au] *[http://www.findaspider.org.au/find/spiders/126.htm Jewel or spiny spider] from [http://www.findaspider.org.au/index.htm The Find-A-Spider Guide for the Spiders of Southern Queensland]

Category:Spiders of Australia Category:Endemic fauna of Australia Category:Monotypic Araneidae genera Category:Taxa named by Friedrich Dahl