Ascuta insula is a species of Orsolobidae spider of the genus Ascuta. The species is endemic to New Zealand.[1]

Ascuta insula

Naturally Uncommon (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Orsolobidae
Genus: Ascuta
Species:
A. insula
Binomial name
Ascuta insula
Forster, 1985

Taxonomy

edit

This species was described in 1985 by Ray Forster from a single female specimen collected on Stephens Island.[1] The holotype is stored at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection under registration number NZAC03014990.[2]

Description

edit

The female is recorded at 4.2 mm (0.17 in) in length. The carapace and abdomen have patterning on the dorsal surface.[1]

Distribution

edit

This species is only known from Stephens Island, New Zealand.[1]

Conservation status

edit

Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Naturally Uncommon" with the qualifiers of "One Location".[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Forster, R.R; Platnick, N.L (1985). "A review of the austral spider family Orsolobidae (Arachnida, Araneae), with notes on the superfamily Dysderoidea". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 181: 1–230.
  2. ^ "Specimen Details". scd.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  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" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 34: 1–37.