Nephilengys livida
| Nephilengys livida | |
|---|---|
 | |
| female N. livida | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Suborder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Nephilidae |
| Genus: | Nephilengys |
| Species: | N. livida |
| Binomial name | |
| Nephilengys livida (Vinson, 1863) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Epeira livida | |
Nephilengys livida is a nephilid spider from Madagascar and nearby islands. It was found to be separate from the related species Nephilengys borbonica in 2011[1]
Anatomy
Female
The color of the abdomen ranges from creamy to brown, blue or purple, with a dark brown venter. Females reach a length of about 15 to 24mm.[1]
Male
Males only reach a length of 3 to 5 mm, with a yellow-brown sternum and a grey abdomen with white dots.[1]
Distribution
N. livida occurs in Madagascar and surrounding islands, such as the Comoro Islands and Seychelles (including the Aldabra atoll). They are common in human dwellings in Madagascar.
Name
The species name is derived from Latin "lividus", which can mean "malicious" as well as "bluish".
References
- 1 2 3 Kuntner & Agnarsson 2011: Biogeography and diversification of hermit spiders on Indian Ocean islands (Nephilidae: Nephilengys). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 59:477-488.
- Matjaž Kuntner (2007). "A monograph of Nephilengys, the pantropical 'hermit spiders' (Araneae, Nephilidae, Nephilinae)". Systematic Entomology. 32 (1): 95–135. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3113.2006.00348.x.
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nephilengys livida. |