| Black-spotted Araneus Hairy Field Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| female | |
 | |
| male | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Araneidae |
| Genus: | Araneus |
| Species: | A. nigroquadratus |
| Binomial name | |
| Araneus nigroquadratus Lawrence, 1937[1] | |
Araneus nigroquadratus is a species ofspider in the familyAraneidae.[2] It is commonly known as theblack-spotted Araneus hairy field spider.[3]
Araneus nigroquadratus occurs inNamibia andSouth Africa. In South Africa, the species is known from six provinces at altitudes ranging from 0 to 1,842 m above sea level.[3]
This orb-web spider constructs large orb-webs at night. The species has been sampled from theSavanna,Indian Ocean Coastal Belt,Grassland,Fynbos, andThicketbiomes. It has also been collected from pine plantations and tomato fields.[3]
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Araneus nigroquadratus is listed asLeast Concern by theSouth African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in more than 10 protected areas including Mkambathi Nature Reserve,Tembe Elephant Park, Addo National Park, and Lhuvhondo Nature Reserve.[3]
The species was originally described byReginald Frederick Lawrence in 1937 fromKosi Bay.[1] It has not been revised and identification of the male is still problematic.[3]
A. nigroquadratus is known only from a female specimen, with the male remaining undescribed.[3]
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