White abdoment Orb-weaver in Nosy Mangabe, Madagascar

This spider species very much has the shape of an Orb-weaver, yet most I found online are colorful, not pale white like this. I'm not sure if this means it is a separate species or a sign of adulthood. The only matching reference photo I found is here:

http://alexhyde.photoshelter.com/image/I0000eDpFI9_J1k8

comments (6)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Not having much luck either, probably is a Nephilia sp. but as to which one??? Posted 10 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Another possibility:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilengys_livida
http://www.pbase.com/tereksandpiper/image/153860064 Posted 10 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! At a first glance I figured this to be an exact match. Looking a bit closer the legs seem shorter, and one of them has stripes, so now I am not sure. The abdomen seems like a clear match, but I don't know enough about spiders to judge whether the differences in the legs are a sign of gender or adulthood. Posted 10 years ago
2. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    I don't know enough either but I am pretty convinced. This article may help:
    http://ezlab.zrc-sazu.si/uploads/2011/05/KuntnerAgnarsson2011_Nephilengys-IndianOcean.pdf Posted 10 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      You have me convinced now as well, thank you so much for putting in the effort! Posted 10 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

This photo just shows that pale stripe on the thorax
http://nature-bizarre.npage.de/bestand/araneoidea.html Posted 10 years ago

The Madagascar Hermit Spider

''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.

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Similar species: Spiders

Species identified by Ferdy Christant