Lord Howe Island Grass Orb-weaver Plebs arletteae Joseph & Framenau, 2012
Fauna Portal species: 6725
Plebs arletteae female, dorsal (AM KS70660; Lord Howe Island, track to Valley of the Shadows, New South Wales)
Image: Joseph & Framenau (2102; fig. 12C)
Fauna Portal Image No. 3355Diagnosis
(after Joseph & Framenau 2012): Based on the overall morphology of the male pedipalp, P. arletteae is most similar to P. eburnus. However, the pedipalp is comparatively larger in P. arletteae and there are subtle differences in sclerite morphology between the two species. For example, the apical tips of the median apophysis run parallel to each other in P. eburnus whereas they face each other in P. arletteae. Somatically, species differences are more pronounced. Plebs eburnus is a smaller species (although large specimens might overlap in size with smaller P. arletteae) and has a relatively shorter, subtriangular abdomen in contrast to the more elongated, ovoid abdomen of P. arletteae.
Status
- native
Linnean Holotype
Australia
- Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands
Fauna Portal Records
The map shows all records that have been verified as part of the Fauna Portal project and may not represent the true distribution of a species. Specifically, for described species, check the link to the Atlas of Living Australia on this page for potential wider distributions. Fauna Portal Reference specimens and Linnean types are shown in red. If you identified a specimen that exceeds the distribution of an undescribed species as illustrated here, please contact the Fauna Portal team who can assist with the lodgement of the specimen in a public institution and display on the map.
Similar Species
Publications
(2012): Systematic review of a new orb-weaving spider genus (Araneae: Araneidae), with special reference to the Australasian-Pacific and South-East Asian fauna. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 166: 279 - 341