Cryptaranea invisibilis explained

Cryptaranea invisibilis is a species of orb-weaver spider that is endemic to New Zealand.^[1]

Taxonomy

This species was described as Epeira invisibilis in 1892 by Arthur Urquhart from specimens collected in Dunedin by Peter Goyen.^[2] It was most recently revised in 1988, in which it was transferred to the Cryptaranea genus.

Description

The female is recorded at 6.9mm in length whereas the male is 5.9mm. This species is brown, tinged with grey.

Distribution

This species is widespread in New Zealand. It lives on cliffs in the spray zone of coasts.

Conservation status

Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Not Threatened".^[3]

Notes and References

1. Court, D. J. & Forster, R. R. (1988). The spiders of New Zealand: Part VI. Family Araneidae. Otago Museum Bulletin 6: 68-124.
2. Urquhart . A.T. . 1892 . Descriptions of new species of Araneidae . Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute . 24 . 230–253.
3. Sirvid . P. J. . Vink . C. J. . Fitzgerald . B. M. . Wakelin . M. D. . Rolfe . J. . Michel . P. . 2020-01-01 . Conservation status of New Zealand Araneae (spiders), 2020 . New Zealand Threat Classification Series . English . 34 . 1–37.