Colaranea verutum explained

Colaranea verutum is a species of orb-weaver spider that is endemic to New Zealand.^[1]

Taxonomy

Colaranea verutum was first described in 1887 by Arthur Urquhart as Epeira verutum, which had three subspecies, E.v. astatum, E.v. hastatum and E.v. lineola.^[2] It was most recently revised in 1988, in which it was transferred to Colaranea.

Description

The female is recorded at 9.1mm in length whereas the male is 5.5mm. This species has variable colouration, but usually has a pale patch on the anterior lateral surface. The overall body colour varies from green and reddish brown/red colours.

Distribution

This species is only formally known from Stewart Island and the South Island of New Zealand. However, there are iNaturalist records from the North Island.^[3]

Conservation status

Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Not Threatened".^[4]

Notes and References

1. Court, D. J. & Forster, R. R. (1988). The spiders of New Zealand: Part VI. Family Araneidae. Otago Museum Bulletin 6: 68-124.
2. Urquhart, A. T. (1887). On new species of Araneida. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 19: 72-118.
3. Web site: Colaranea verutum . 2024-09-01 . iNaturalist . en.
4. 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 . New Zealand Threat Classification Series . English . 34 . 1–37.