Colorful Spiny Orb-weaver, Santa María, Colombia

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comments (12)

WildFlower

Lion

According to this article, 49 species of Micrathena are found in Colombia. I haven't checked them for look-a-likes but Micrathena sexspinosa seems like a good match.
http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/491/49110306.pdf
http://www.ecometta.org/arana_micrathena_sexspinosa.html
http://arachnids.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/892/media

By the way, we have a species Micrathena breviceps in the database but there is no such species in the World Spider Catalog. The closest valid name is Micrathena brevipes but I cannot find a reference for it.
http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/genus/356/Micrathena
From this point of view it is hard to tell if it is the same species as yours or another one.

Posted 8 years ago, modified 8 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks a lot, wasn't expecting a match for this one.
  Not sure what to do with Micrathena breviceps, I agree that it does not seem to be a known or published species name. Posted 8 years ago
2. 1. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    You can change it to Micrathena brevipes. It is similar to Micrathena sexspinosa. From both photos that Annette has uploaded it is hard to tell which species it is.
    http://arachnids.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/886/media
    http://arachnids.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/892/media Posted 8 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      I don't understand what you mean, both photos are already using Micrathena brevipes. Posted 8 years ago
    2. 1. WildFlower
        
        Lion
        
        Changing the name of the species we will have a correct entry in the database. I have already changed the distribution range and reference accordingly.
        Annette's photos being identified as Micrathena brevipes is a different issue. The pattern on the references above is very similar, Costa Rica is within the distribution range of both species so it could be either one. I cannot be sure if the ID is correct or not because I cannot see the pattern on her photos. Posted 8 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Please say which species. "The" species still does not explain which species needs to be renamed into which one. There is already a Micrathena brevipes species. Posted 8 years ago
        
        WildFlower
        
        Lion
        
        I changed the common name field to the correct one but the scientific name is still Micrathena breviCEPs instead of breviPEs. Only you can change the scientific name field.
        https://www.jungledragon.com/specie/7506/micrathena_brevipes.html Posted 8 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Got ya, done :) Posted 8 years ago

Barry

Lion

Great photo - looks like a science fiction film! Posted 8 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks :) There was a time on this planet where insects were the size of a cat. Imagine that! Posted 8 years ago
2. 1. Barry
    
    Lion
    
    Yeah, a shame that we don't have the giant dragonflies anymore. Still, I learned in comparative physiology that insects cannot get any larger than cat size due to the limitations of their respiratory system and breathing through spiracles, so giant spiders like in the horror movies cannot happen. Good thing as I find tarantulas scary enough! Posted 8 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      That is true. I believe our planet had a period with insane oxygen levels, allowing insects to grow that big. Posted 8 years ago