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Spiny orb weaver

Gasteracantha sp.

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
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-26.1155, 31.9949

Field Notes

Description:

The size of this was about 1 cm. It was very active. First photo is taken with a flash, the rest without.

Habitat:

High altitude mixed forrest and meadowland, dry season. It was found next to a waterhole.

Notes:

Mbuluzi Game Reserve, Swaziland

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (15)
Tiz
Haha. Thanks Bay! There are quite a lot of this particular kind of spider around here. I would be very happy to have the correct ID. I cant remember from where I got the ID of this one in the first place. I trust your gut-feeling!
bayucca
I am a little bit sceptic with Gasteracantha sp., but only a little bit... See my comment on this one: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/185746022 I still think it is a Gasteracanthinae, but all of the Gastercantha sp. I know from RSA looks quite different. The box-like shape and the regularity of the spikes would indicate more Isoxya sp. and the most common one, the Bisquit Kite Spider looks from these points being quite a good match. But not from the colors and the "deepness" of the grooves. Kate has an expert around and she will ask him or her about her/his thought about hers. I know that these spiders might be quite variable, but looking at other Isoxya there is within the species quite an agreement about colors and markings. So it could be a not so known Isoxya or Gasteroxya?? Some other genus?? There are more around! So I would be happy if you are correct with your ID and I am wrong, but best for my happiness would be the correct species. Stay tuned! I just a have a strange feeling in my guts (or is it my diet?) ;-)...
Debbie Stewart
This I know Tiz and am very thankful for especially on all my travels :-)
Tiz
You are a very lucky woman!
Debbie Stewart
hahaha Tiz...mosquitoes don't like me so I didn't get bitten but they absolutely love my Mum much to her dismay!!
Tiz
Thank you for the lovely words Debbie. I wish you a great weekend, and don't scratch those finnish mosquito bites too much :P I hope to see a spotting of one of them :D
Debbie Stewart
Beautiful spider Tiz, you have some lovely spottings :-)
Tiz
Thank you Jemma and Lauren :)
LaurenZarate
Beautiful Spider with extra spines, I really like your first and last photos!
Tiz
Thank you all for the comments. I am sorry for the bad quality in pic 4-5, but I think they could be important for a possible ID. Have a great day all of you!
beaker98
Very cool little spider. Nice series!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
International Spider Survey
Mission
Animals with Warning Colors
Mission
Mission WILD
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Photographed
PublishedAugust 1, 2013

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