Orb-weaving spiders Actinosoma, Spilasma, Micrepeira, Pronous, and four new genera (Araneae: Araneidae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1995
Authors:H. W. Levi
Journal:Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College
Volume:154
Issue:3
Pagination:153-213
Abstract:

Actinosoma contains one species, A. pentacanihum. Spilasma has three species, two of which are new. Micrepeira has seven species, of which five are new. Pronous has 14 species, of which 11 are new. The new genera are Spinepeira, with one new species known only from a female; Hingstepeira, with four species, three of them new; Madrepeira, with one new species; and Tatepeira, with four species, three of which are new and of doubtful generic placement. There is one new generic synonymy and 11 new synonymies of species names. Species of all these genera are known only from the Americas. The species of several of these genera make unusual webs. Actinosoma pentacanthum lives over water on emergent vegetation. Hingstepeira, Spilasma, and Micrepeira build retreats into the web. Madrepeira makes a ladderweb. Most of these spiders are rarely collected. The names used by R. W. G. Kingston in his observations on unusual webs are identified.

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