Cryptaranea venustula explained

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

Taxonomy

This species was described as Epeira venustula in 1891 by Arthur Urquhart from a female specimen collected in Stratford.^[2] It was most recently revised in 1988, in which it was transferred to the Cryptaranea genus.

Description

The female is recorded at 6.5mm in length whereas the male is 3.4mm.

Distribution

This species is widespread throughout New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands.

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. . 1891 . On new species of Araneae . Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute . 23 . 128-189.
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.