ADW: Gasteracantha cancriformis: INFORMATION

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns:og="http://ogp.me/ns#" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> <head> <title>ADW: Gasteracantha cancriformis: INFORMATION</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-3.3.2.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/compat.js"></script> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://animaldiversity.org/favicon.ico" /> <link href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Gentium+Book+Basic:400,400italic,700,700italic" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=PT+Sans:400,700,400italic,700italic" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/bootstrap/css/bootstrap.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/css/pica.styles.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/css/pica.print.css" media="print" />  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/colorbox/colorbox.css" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/" /> <meta content="Gasteracantha cancriformis" property="og:title" /> <meta content="website" property="og:type" /> <meta content="Animal Diversity Web" property="og:site_name" /> <meta content="https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/tanya_dewey/orbweaver1/medium.jpg" property="og:image" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@AnimalDiversity" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Gasteracantha cancriformis" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Read about Gasteracantha cancriformis on the Animal Diversity Web." /> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/tanya_dewey/orbweaver1/medium.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:image:height" content="480" /> <meta name="twitter:image:width" content="614" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/Hyphenator.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/social-likes/social-likes_birman.css" /> <style> .social-likes { margin: 0; } .social-likes__widget { margin: 0; } </style>   </head> <body> <div id="outerwrap"> <div id="header" aria-role="header"> <h1> <a id="homelink" href="/">Animal Diversity Web</a> </h1> <div class="umlinks"> <div class="relative"> <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/ummz/" id="ummzlink">University of Michigan Museum of Zoology</a> <a href="https://www.umich.edu/" id="umlink">University of Michigan</a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="wrap" class="gradient"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row-fluid"> <div class="span2 sidebar left"> <ul class="nav nav-tabs nav-stacked" id="sitemap"> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/animal_names/">About Animal Names</a> </li> <li> <a href="/teach/">Educational Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="/collections/">Special Collections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/glossary/">Glossary</a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/">Browse Animalia</a> </li> </ul> <h2 class="offscreen">More Information</h2> <div class="well"> <h3>Additional Information</h3> <ul class="unstyled"> <li> <a href="http://eol.org/search/?q=Gasteracantha cancriformis&search=Go">Encyclopedia of Life</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="span7_5 blahblahblah main" aria-role="main"> <h2 class="rank-species">Gasteracantha cancriformis</h2> <div class="social-likes" data-counters="no"> <div class="facebook" title="Share link on Facebook">Facebook</div> <div class="twitter" title="Share link on Twitter">Twitter</div> </div> <div class="snapshots" aria-hidden="true"> <ul> <li> <a href="/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/pictures/collections/contributors/tanya_dewey/orbweaver1/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/tanya_dewey/orbweaver1/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Gasteracantha_cancriformis/pictures/collections/contributors/tanya_dewey/orbweaver2/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/tanya_dewey/orbweaver2/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="byline">By Annie Peters</div> <nav class="contents"> <ul> <li> <a href="#geographic_range">Geographic Range</a> </li> <li> <a href="#habitat">Habitat</a> </li> <li> <a href="#physical_description">Physical Description</a> </li> <li> <a href="#reproduction">Reproduction</a> </li> <li> <a href="#lifespan_longevity">Lifespan/Longevity</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a href="#behavior">Behavior</a> </li> <li> <a href="#communication">Communication and Perception</a> </li> <li> <a href="#food_habits">Food Habits</a> </li> <li> <a href="#predation">Predation</a> </li> <li> <a href="#ecosystem_roles">Ecosystem Roles</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a href="#economic_importance_positive">Economic Importance for Humans: Positive</a> </li> <li> <a href="#economic_importance_negative">Economic Importance for Humans: Negative</a> </li> <li> <a href="#conservation_status">Conservation Status</a> </li> <li> <a href="#contributors">Contributors</a> </li> <li> <a href="#references">References</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="inner-wrap"> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="geographic_range">Geographic Range</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate"><span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">Gasteracantha cancriformis</span> is found in many parts of the world. It is found across the southern part of the United States from California to Florida, as well as in Central America, Jamaica, and Cuba. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#3972a384a1601810bc032383faf21269" class="citation">Levi, 1978</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Biogeographic Regions</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020914235803">nearctic</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145365">native</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020915000403">neotropical</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145365">native</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="habitat">Habitat</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Spiny crablike orb weavers, <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">G. cancriformis</span>, live in woodland edges and shrubby gardens. Many of the studies on this spider have taken place in citrus groves in Florida. They frequently live in trees or around trees in shrubs. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#3972a384a1601810bc032383faf21269" class="citation">Levi, 1978</a>; <a href="#4d7526053d142b9123b2d0733fd2ca3e" class="citation">Muma and Stone, 1971</a>; <a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Habitat Regions</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145595">temperate</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145598">tropical</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145794">terrestrial</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Terrestrial Biomes</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145828">forest</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145487">rainforest</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145677">scrub forest</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Other Habitat Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145386">suburban</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145700">agricultural</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="physical_description">Physical Description</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate"><span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">Gasteracantha cancriformis</span> showed marked sexual dimorphism in size. Females are 5 to 9 mm in length and 10 to 13 mm in width. Males are 2 to 3 mm long and a small amount shorter in width. Six abdominal spines are present in all morphs, but color and shape show geographic variation. Most individuals have white spots on the underside of the abdomen, but the color of the back and spines may be red, orange or yellow. Also, a small number of spiders have colored legs. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#3972a384a1601810bc032383faf21269" class="citation">Levi, 1978</a>; <a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Other Physical Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020916131519">ectothermic</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145642">bilateral symmetry</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020915002358">polymorphic</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Sexual Dimorphism</li> <li> <span>female larger</span> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate one-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Range length</dt> <dd>2 to 9 mm</dd> <dd class="english">0.08 to 0.35 in</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="reproduction">Reproduction</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">The only known observations of mating behavior occured in a laboratory environment where there was only one female and one male to work with. It is assumed that the mating system in nature is similar to, if not the same as, that observed in the laboratory environment. However, scientists are not sure whether these animals are monogamous or polygamous. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Laboratory studies of mating behavior show that males visit female webs, and use a 4-tap rhythmical-pattern drumming on the silk of the web. After several cautious approaches, males approach females, become strapped down with silk from the female, and copulate. Mating may take 35 minutes or more. After mating, the male remains on the female's web. Mating may occur repeatedly. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">While facing down near the center of her web, the female produces an egg sac with 100 to 260 eggs. She deposits the sac on the underside of leaves near the nest, then dies. The eggs must hatch and survive without parental care over the winter, then spiderlings disperse in the spring when they are able to spin webs and produce eggs (females) or fertilize eggs (males) on their own. Both males and females reach maturity within 2 to 5 weeks of age. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#46c820eb853cb3bed97a4a3e4847e087" class="citation">Milne and Milne, 1980</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Key Reproductive Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145784">semelparous</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145584">seasonal breeding</a> </li> <li> <span>gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145786">sexual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145546">fertilization</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145726">external</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Breeding season</dt> <dd>Breeding occurs during winter.</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range number of offspring</dt> <dd>100 to 260</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)</dt> <dd>2 to 5 weeks</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)</dt> <dd>2 to 5 weeks</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> <p audience="advanced intermediate">All parental care in crablike orb weavers occurs before the young hatch. After the female lays an egg mass, she dies. The eggs are left to hatch and the spiderlings to disperse. In order to protect and feed the young in their egg and larval stages, the female constructs an egg case. In nature, the case is constructed on the bottom and sometimes the top of the leaves on trees where the web is located, but not on limbs or trunks of trees. The case is constructed first from an ovate egg sheet made of loosely woven fine threads which are firmly attached to the lower leaf surface with strong attachment disks. The eggs are distributed upward on the platform in a long, ovate mass. The female covers the egg mass with a loose, spongy, tangled mass of yellow and white threads, fastened with the same type of disks used before. Another covering is made when the female moves along the mass, loosely covering it with several dozen coarse, rigid, dark green threads. These threads form a distinct longitudinal line on the case. The final cover is a net-like canopy, spun over the mass and attached to a leaf. Hatched spiderlings take a few days to learn how to move correctly, and under undisturbed, natural conditions do not disperse from the case for 2 to 5 weeks. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Parental Investment</li> <li> <span>pre-fertilization</span> <ul> <li> <span>provisioning</span> </li> <li> <span>protecting</span> <ul> <li> <span>female</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span>pre-hatching/birth</span> <ul> <li> <span>provisioning</span> <ul> <li> <span>female</span> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <span>protecting</span> <ul> <li> <span>female</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="lifespan_longevity">Lifespan/Longevity</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">This species of spider does not live very long. In fact, the lifespan only lasts until reproduction, which usually takes place the spring following the winter when they hatched. Females die after producing an egg mass, and males die six days after a complete cycle of sperm induction to the female. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#3972a384a1601810bc032383faf21269" class="citation">Levi, 1978</a>; <a href="#46c820eb853cb3bed97a4a3e4847e087" class="citation">Milne and Milne, 1980</a>; <a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate one-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Typical lifespan<br /><span>Status: wild</span></dt> <dd>1 (high) years</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="behavior">Behavior</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Development of spiny orb weavers takes place late in the year, and a new web is constructed each night to make sure that the structure is secure. Webs are constructed mostly by adult females because male species typically hang from a single thread close by the nest of a female. The web hangs at a slight to distinct angle from perpendicular, where the female rests near the bottom, facing down, awaiting her prey.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">The web itself is constructed of a basic foundation which consists of a single vertical strand. The foundation is connected with a second primary line or by a primary radius. In both situations, the structure is pulled together into an angle that causes three convergent primary radii. Sometimes, more than three primary radii are constructed. After making this basic framework, the spider begins to construct a strong exterior radius, then continues to spin secondary non-viscid radii which are attached to the partly spiraled, random lined, central disk. The difference between foundation silk and tufted silk is visibly distinct. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#46c820eb853cb3bed97a4a3e4847e087" class="citation">Milne and Milne, 1980</a>; <a href="#4d7526053d142b9123b2d0733fd2ca3e" class="citation">Muma and Stone, 1971</a>; <a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Females live solitarily on individual webs. Up to three males may dangle on silk threads nearby. Females can be found at any time of the year, but mostly from October to January. Males can be found during October and November. The webs can be found 1 to 6 meters above ground. Activity is diurnal, so these spiders are easily collected for studies. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#3972a384a1601810bc032383faf21269" class="citation">Levi, 1978</a>; <a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Key Behaviors</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145634">arboreal</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145414">diurnal</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145472">motile</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145585">sedentary</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145381">solitary</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="communication">Communication and Perception</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Visual communication is used during courtship. Upon contact with each other, the spiders vibrate the web. Males use a rhythmic pattern when vibrating the web during courtship. These spiders also move up and down their silk lines to show a reaction to other creatures. It is likely that there are patterns for this also. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Communication Channels</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145694">visual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145500">tactile</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Other Communication Modes</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145852">vibrations</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Perception Channels</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145694">visual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145500">tactile</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145852">vibrations</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="food_habits">Food Habits</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Females build webs that they use to capture prey. A female sits facing down in her web, awaiting her prey on the central disk. When a small insect flies into the web, she moves toward it, then snaps the radii on either side of the insect. In order to secure the prey, the spider snaps more of the web around the area, then rushes toward the prey in order to determine its exact location and bite it before carrying it back to the central disk where she feeds.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">To carry a prey item back to the central disk, the female either climbs back up the web with her food, or swings down a drag line then climbs up to her resting area. If the prey is smaller than the spider, she will just paralyze it, carry it to her spot, and eat it without wrapping it up. If the prey item is larger than the spider, it requires wrapping before being carried to the central disk.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Sometimes several prey insects become caught in the web at the same time, so that the spider must find and paralyze them all. If it is not necessary to carry them away to eat them, the spider may just feed on them where they are, then come back to them as she pleases.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate"><span rank="Species" class="taxon-name rank-species">Gasteracanta cancriformis</span> feeds upon the liquified insides of her prey. Deliquified carcasses are discarded from the web and are easily recognized in their mummified state.</p> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Foods eaten: drosophilids, whiteflies, beetles, moths, other small fly species (none appear to have been rejected). <span class="citations"> (<a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Primary Diet</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145419">carnivore</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145711">insectivore</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Animal Foods</li> <li> <span>body fluids</span> </li> <li> <span>insects</span> </li> <li> <span>terrestrial non-insect arthropods</span> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="predation">Predation</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Crablike spiny orb weavers probably received this common name because of the spines on their backs. These spines may have an anti-predator function. These spiders are also very small, making it hard for a predator to see them and attack them. The spider eggs are often attacked by parasitoid wasps and flies. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#3972a384a1601810bc032383faf21269" class="citation">Levi, 1978</a>; <a href="#4d7526053d142b9123b2d0733fd2ca3e" class="citation">Muma and Stone, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate one-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Known Predators</dt> <dd> <ul> <li> <span rank="Species" class="taxon-name rank-species">Phalacrotophora epirae</span> </li> <li>Tetrastochus n. (eulophid wasp)- hyperparasite of <span class="taxon-link rank-species">G. cancriformis</span> </li> <li> <span rank="Species" class="taxon-name rank-species">Arachnophago ferruginea</span> </li> </ul> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="ecosystem_roles">Ecosystem Roles</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">In nature, this species preys upon many small insect pests that are present in crops and suburban areas. It helps to control overpopulation of such insects. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#4d7526053d142b9123b2d0733fd2ca3e" class="citation">Muma and Stone, 1971</a>)</span></p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="economic_importance_positive">Economic Importance for Humans: Positive</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">This tiny spider is an interesting species for study and research. Additionally, the fact that <span rank="Species" class="taxon-link rank-species">G. cancriformis</span> preys on small insects in citrus groves helps farmers to control pests. Since there is clinal variation in these animals in the different areas where they are found, researchers are able to study genetic variation, clines, and adaptations to a specific environments. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e" class="citation">Muma, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Positive Impacts</li> <li> <span>research and education</span> </li> <li> <span>controls pest population</span> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="economic_importance_negative">Economic Importance for Humans: Negative</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">These spiders can bite, but they are not of much harm to humans. Humans can be bothered by the species' spines, which may cause a puncture in skin if touched in the wrong place. So, although they eat insects in orchards, which is beneficial, they become a pest during harvest time. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#4d7526053d142b9123b2d0733fd2ca3e" class="citation">Muma and Stone, 1971</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Negative Impacts</li> <li> <span>injures humans</span> <ul> <li> <span>bites or stings</span> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="conservation_status">Conservation Status</h3> <p audience="intermediate advanced">This species is plentiful throughout the western hemisphere.</p> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN Red List</a> </dt> <dd> <span>No special status</span> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/RegulationsPolicies/mbta/mbtintro.html">US Migratory Bird Act</a> </dt> <dd> <span>No special status</span> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.fws.gov/endangered/">US Federal List</a> </dt> <dd> <span>No special status</span> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php">CITES</a> </dt> <dd> <span>No special status</span> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="contributors">Contributors</h3> <p>Nancy Shefferly (editor), Animal Diversity Web. </p> <p>Annie Peters (author), Southwestern University, Stephanie Fabritius (editor), Southwestern University. </p> </section> <section class="offscreen"> <h3 id="glossary">Glossary</h3> <div id="20020914235803"> <dl> <dt>Nearctic</dt> <dd> <p>living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.</p> <p align="center"> <img alt="World Map" src="/images/worldmap.2001.jpg" /> </p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020915000403"> <dl> <dt>Neotropical</dt> <dd> <p>living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.</p> <p align="center"> <img alt="World Map" src="/images/worldmap.2001.jpg" /> </p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145700"> <dl> <dt>agricultural</dt> <dd> <p>living in landscapes dominated by human agriculture.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145634"> <dl> <dt>arboreal</dt> <dd> <p>Referring to an animal that lives in trees; tree-climbing.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145642"> <dl> <dt>bilateral symmetry</dt> <dd> <p>having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145419"> <dl> <dt>carnivore</dt> <dd> <p>an animal that mainly eats meat</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145414"> <dl> <dt>diurnal</dt> <dd> <ol class="arabic simple"> <li>active during the day, 2. lasting for one day.</li> </ol> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020916131519"> <dl> <dt>ectothermic</dt> <dd> <p>animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145726"> <dl> <dt>external fertilization</dt> <dd> <p>fertilization takes place outside the female's body</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145546"> <dl> <dt>fertilization</dt> <dd> <p>union of egg and spermatozoan</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145828"> <dl> <dt>forest</dt> <dd> <p>forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145711"> <dl> <dt>insectivore</dt> <dd> <p>An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145472"> <dl> <dt>motile</dt> <dd> <p>having the capacity to move from one place to another.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145365"> <dl> <dt>native range</dt> <dd> <p>the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020915002358"> <dl> <dt>polymorphic</dt> <dd> <p>"many forms." A species is polymorphic if its individuals can be divided into two or more easily recognized groups, based on structure, color, or other similar characteristics. The term only applies when the distinct groups can be found in the same area; graded or clinal variation throughout the range of a species (e.g. a north-to-south decrease in size) is not polymorphism. Polymorphic characteristics may be inherited because the differences have a genetic basis, or they may be the result of environmental influences. We do not consider sexual differences (i.e. sexual dimorphism), seasonal changes (e.g. change in fur color), or age-related changes to be polymorphic. Polymorphism in a local population can be an adaptation to prevent density-dependent predation, where predators preferentially prey on the most common morph.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145487"> <dl> <dt>rainforest</dt> <dd> <p>rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145677"> <dl> <dt>scrub forest</dt> <dd> <p>scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145584"> <dl> <dt>seasonal breeding</dt> <dd> <p>breeding is confined to a particular season</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145585"> <dl> <dt>sedentary</dt> <dd> <p>remains in the same area</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145784"> <dl> <dt>semelparous</dt> <dd> <p>offspring are all produced in a single group (litter, clutch, etc.), after which the parent usually dies. Semelparous organisms often only live through a single season/year (or other periodic change in conditions) but may live for many seasons. In both cases reproduction occurs as a single investment of energy in offspring, with no future chance for investment in reproduction.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145786"> <dl> <dt>sexual</dt> <dd> <p>reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145381"> <dl> <dt>solitary</dt> <dd> <p>lives alone</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145386"> <dl> <dt>suburban</dt> <dd> <p>living in residential areas on the outskirts of large cities or towns.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145500"> <dl> <dt>tactile</dt> <dd> <p>uses touch to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145595"> <dl> <dt>temperate</dt> <dd> <p>that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145794"> <dl> <dt>terrestrial</dt> <dd> <p>Living on the ground.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145598"> <dl> <dt>tropical</dt> <dd> <p>the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145852"> <dl> <dt>vibrations</dt> <dd> <p>movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145694"> <dl> <dt>visual</dt> <dd> <p>uses sight to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="references">References</h3> <p id="3972a384a1601810bc032383faf21269">Levi, H. 1978. The American orb-weaver genera Colphepeira, Microtheno, and Gasteracantha North of Mexico. <span style="font-style: italic">Bull.Mus.Comp.Zool.</span>, 148: 417-442. </p> <p id="46c820eb853cb3bed97a4a3e4847e087">Milne, L., M. Milne. 1980. <span style="font-style: italic">The Audubon Society Field Guide Series</span>. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc.. </p> <p id="c6a9b1485044eb5c5625af513a9b448e">Muma, M. 1971. Biological and Behavioral notes on *Gasteracantha cancriformis* (Arachnida: Araneidae). <span style="font-style: italic">Florida Entemol.</span>, 54: 345-351. </p> <p id="4d7526053d142b9123b2d0733fd2ca3e">Muma, M., K. Stone. 1971. Predation of *Gasteracantha cancriformis* (Arachnida: Araneidae) eggs in Florida citrus groves by *Phalacrotophora epeirae* (Insecta: Phoridae) and *Arachnophaga ferruginea* (Insecta: Eupelmidae). <span style="font-style: italic">Florida Entemol.</span>, 54: 305-310. </p> </section> </div> </div> <div class="span2_5 right sidebar"> <div class="well" id="pocket-guide-link"> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adw-pocket-guide/id916179421?mt=8" target="_blank"><i class="icon-download icon-white" style="vertical-align: bottom"></i> ADW Pocket Guides on the iOS App Store! </a> <p>The Animal Diversity Web team is excited to announce ADW Pocket Guides!</p> <p> <a href="/news/5009059054038197651/">Read more...</a> </p> </div> <h2 class="offscreen">Search</h2> <div id="site-search"> <form action="/search" method="GET"> <label for="q" class="offscreen">Enter search text</label> <input value="" id="q" name="q" class="span12" size="15" type="text" placeholder="Search ADW" /> <button 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ADW: Gasteracantha cancriformis: INFORMATION