The Magnificent Eight Spiders of Africa

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About The Magnificent Eight Spiders of Africa

Photos of the Magnificent Eight Spiders of Africa only.

The African Arachnology Society followed the “Big Five” wildlife theme and came up with the “Magnificent Eight Spiders of Africa”. The eight spiders were chosen based on their size, uniqueness and interesting behaviour.

The organisations involved in identifying the spiders, include the Arachnology Unit of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), where research conducted on agriculturally and environmentally important Arachnida in Southern Africa spans for over 50 years. This research has resulted in an extensive database of information housed in the National Collection of Arachnida and over 300 publications in the form of papers, handbooks, CD’s, manuals and posters.

The magnificent eight spiders of Africa are:
§1. RAIN SPIDERS: (Sparassidae Palystes spp.), one of the largest spiders, which are commonly found in gardens, frequently wandering into houses;

§2. BABOON SPIDERS: (Theraphosidae Ceratogyrus spp.), a unique group of baboon spiders with horns on their carapace, found only in southern Africa;

§3. FISH EATING SPIDERS: (Pisauridae Thalassius spp.), large spiders found around fresh water with interesting feeding behaviour;

§4. FLOWER CRAB SPIDERS: (Thomisidae Thomisus spp.), these colourful white, yellow or pink spiders are present on flowers and able to change colour;

§5. GREEN LYNX SPIDERS: (Oxyopidae Peucetia spp.), these large green spiders frequently decorated with pink spots and bands live on vegetation;

§6. JUMPING SPIDERS: (Salticidae Hyllus spp.), these common jumping spiders can be recognized by their large front eyes and bodies frequently decorated with tufts of setae and colourful markings;

§7. KITE SPIDERS (Araneidae Gasteracantha spp.), these spiders are webdwellers
and construct large orbwebs; their bodies are kitelike in shape and decorated with colourful patterns;

§8. GOLDEN ORB SPIDERS: (Nephilidae Nephila spp.), one of our largest orbweb spiders making their webs with yellow silk while their bodies are decorated with colourful patterns;

The following web url might be useful in the process of identification of the spider:
www.arc.agric.za/vmuseum/vmuseumMain.aspx

Also have a look at: www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?pid=3272



We would like to have your picture in <b> "The Magnificent Eight Spiders of Africa" </b> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/willievs/3342549797/" title="Golden Orb Spider (Nephila pilipes) (close up) by willievs, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3342549797_7de160d7b6_t.jpg"/></a>



We would like to have your picture in "The Magnificent Eight Spiders of Africa"





Seen in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/msoa"> <b> The Magificent Eight Spiders of Africa</b> </a> group.


Seen in the The Magificent Eight Spiders of Africa group.