Cryptachaea gigantipes, known vernacularly as the white porch spider,[1] is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. It is native to south-eastern Australia and is an introduced species in New Zealand.
| Cryptachaea gigantipes | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Theridiidae |
| Genus: | Cryptachaea |
| Species: | C. gigantipes
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890)
| |
Taxonomy
editThe species was first described by Eugen von Keyserling in 1890, in his German language text Die Arachniden Australiens, nach der Natur beschrieben und abgebildet.[2] The species is most closely related to Cryptachaea veruculata, and more distantly related to Cryptachaea blattea.[1]
Description
editThe species ranges from amber to creamy white in colour, typically with dark-coloured spots. The species measures 6.1mm in total length.[1]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species is found in eastern Australia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand.[2] Common in south-eastern Australia, the species was first documented in New Zealand in the year 2000, but may have been present in the country since the 1980s.[1] The species is typically found in rocky areas or caves, or in sheltered eaves or porches of human habitats.[1]
Gallery
edit-
Close-up of the face of Cryptachaea gigantipes -
Cryptachaea gigantipes and cobweb outside of a home in Wentworth Falls, New South Wales
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Smith, Helen M; Vink, Cor J; Fitzgerald, Brian M; Sirvid, Phil J (2012). "Redescription and generic placement of the spider Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890)(Araneae: Theridiidae) and notes on related synanthropic species in Australasia". Zootaxa. 3507 (1): 38–56. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.3507.1.2. ISSN 1175-5334.
- ^ a b "Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890)". GBIF. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
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