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 9 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Another possibility:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilengys_livida
http://www.pbase.com/tereksandpiper/image/153860064 Posted 9 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 9 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 9 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      You have me convinced now as well, thank you so much for putting in the effort! Posted 9 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

This photo just shows that pale stripe on the thorax
http://nature-bizarre.npage.de/bestand/araneoidea.html Posted 9 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