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Fungus infected spider, Ranomafana, Madagascar I have no idea what&#039;s up with this spider. It is covered all over with white fine hair (or hair-like), most visible on the abdomen. Natural appearance? Fungus infection? <br /> <br /> Update: expert confirmed its a fungus infection, and the spider is dead.<br /> <br /> Species: wandering spider, family Ctenidae, possibly genus Mahafalytenus. Africa,Madagascar,Madagascar 2019,Ranomafana National Park,World Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Fungus infected spider, Ranomafana, Madagascar

I have no idea what's up with this spider. It is covered all over with white fine hair (or hair-like), most visible on the abdomen. Natural appearance? Fungus infection?

Update: expert confirmed its a fungus infection, and the spider is dead.

Species: wandering spider, family Ctenidae, possibly genus Mahafalytenus.

    comments (6)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
    View Lion class
    That's weird and awesome. I'm wondering about the fungal infection idea - you can see a pattern on the abdomen (which makes me think the true abdomen is being obscured by fungus), and the fungus (if that's what it is) seems to be spreading outward. Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Just updated the post with more information. Few people in the entomology group confirmed it's a fungus.

      Gruesome as it is, it does look kind of beautiful in this case, especially around the abdomen.       Posted 5 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Oh, great! Gruesome, indeed - but, so pretty! Sad for the spider, but good news for the fungus.

        How do you know the spider was dead? Or, was it obvious, lol?         Posted 5 years ago
        1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
          Ferdy Christant
          Lion
          View Lion class
          People in the FB group told me it's dead lol. Which challenged my memory as I did not experience it as dead. It likely is though. Posted 5 years ago
  3. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
    Flown Kimmerling
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Whoahhhh! That is a cool find! Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Thanks! Posted 5 years ago

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View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Sep 16, 2019. Captured Jul 14, 2019 09:46.
country flag of Madagascar Explore Madagascar 3,111 753 0
  • NIKON D850
  • f/13.0
  • 1/60s
  • ISO64
  • 105mm

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