Gasteracantha kuhli C. L. Koch, 1837

Macharoenboon, Kongkit, Siriwut, Warut & Jeratthitikul, Ekgachai, 2021, A review of the taxonomy of spiny-backed orb-weaving spiders of the subfamily Gasteracanthinae (Araneae, Araneidae) in Thailand, ZooKeys 1032, pp. 17-62 : 17

Gasteracantha kuhli C. L. Koch, 1837 Figures 8 , 11J-L

Gasteracantha kuhli C. L. Koch, 1837: 20, fig. 262. Type locality: Indonesia, Java.

Gasteracantha kuhli Full list of synonyms and usage of the name available in World Spider Catalog (2020).

Material.

Thailand • 5 ♀; Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Pak Chong District; 14°31.10'N, 101°24.00'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS002 • 5 ♀; Ubon Ratchathani Province, Na Chaluai District, Dom Yai Canal; 14°41.25'N, 105°09.27'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS003 • 2 ♀; Kanchanaburi Province, Si Sawat District; 14°26.49'N, 99°08.06'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS004 • 2 ♀; Surat Thani Province, Ko Pha-ngan District, Koh Tao Is.; 10°04.04'N, 99°49.10'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS005 • 5 ♀; Samut Prakan Province, Phra Pradaeng District, Bang Kachao; 13°41.50'N, 100°33.46'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS005 • 1 ♀; Surat Thani Province, Phanom District, Khlong Sok; 08°54.20'N, 98°31.81'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS007 • 4 ♀; Kanchanaburi Province, Sai Yok District; 14°24.93'N, 98°52.54'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS027 • 5 ♀; Ratchaburi Province, Suan Phueng District; 13°33.03'N, 99°17.14'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS029 • 5 ♀; Ratchaburi Province, Suan Phueng District , Pachi Stream; 13°31.18'N, 99°18.88'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS030 • 5 ♀; Samut Prakan Province, Phra Pradaeng District, Bang Kachao; 13°41.85'N, 100°33.93'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS033 • 4 ♀; Trang Province, Mueang District, Ban Pho; 07°34.18'N, 99°39.16'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS039 • 2 ♀; Ranong Province, Suk Samran District , Na Kha; 09°23.75'N, 98°25.75'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS040 • 5 ♀; Krabi Province, Mueang District, Krabi Noi; 08°07.54'N, 98°55.50'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS042 • 5 ♀; Phrae Province, Mueang District; 18°08.58'N, 100°07.81'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS046 • 4 ♀; Mae Hong Son Province, Mueang District, Pang Mu; 19°18.12'N, 97°57.58'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS048 • 2 ♀; Mae Hong Son Province, Mae La Noi District, Mae La Luang ; 18°32.31'N, 97°53.83'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS049 • 1 ♀; Loei Province, Mueang District, Kok Thong; 17°30.53'N, 101°35.83'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS054 • 1 ♀; Loei Province, Pak Chom District , Huai Bo Suen; 17°44.78'N, 101°58.33'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS055 • 5 ♀; Udon Thani Province, Nam Som District; 17°46.93'N, 102°06.02'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS056 • 1 ♀; Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Mueang District, Suranari University; 14°52.97'N, 102°01.27'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS057 • 5 ♀; Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Bang Saphan District, Khao Ma Rong Cave ; 11°12.17'N, 99°29.65'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS060 • 2 ♀; Chumphon Province, Tha Sae District, Pisadarn Cave ; 10°45.60'N, 99°13.77'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS063 • 2 ♀; Surat Thani Province, Khiri Rat Nikhom District, Wang Badarn Cave ; 08°54.52'N, 98°57.83'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS066 • 1 ♀; Sa Kaeo Province, Khlong Hat District, Phet Pho Thong Cave ; 13°24.80'N, 102°19.55'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS072 • 1 ♀; Lopburi Province, Mueang District, Kok Toom; 14°48.80'N, 100°47.63'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS074 • 1 ♀; Lopburi Province, Mueang District, Phra Tad Cave ; 14°48.40'N, 100°49.48'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS075 • 1 ♀; Chanthaburi Province, Mueang District, Khlong Narai; 12°35.48'N, 102°09.45'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS078 • 2 ♀; Nakhon Nayok Province, Pak Phli District , Khun Dan Prakarn Chon Dam; 14°18.88'N, 101°19.27'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS080 • 4 ♀; Kanchanaburi Province, Si Sawat District , Ong-ju Canal; 14°48.45'N, 99°05.53'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS084 • 1 ♀; Phetchabun Province, Si Thep District, 15°28.52'N, 100°58.53'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS085 • 1 ♀; Phetchabun Province, Lom Sak District; 16°43.73'N, 101°20.22'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS087 • 2 ♀; Loei Province, Wang Saphung District , Pha Bing, 17°14.05'N, 101°45.63'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS089 • 4 ♀; Phetchabun Province, Wichian Buri District , Wat Tham Thep Bandan, 15°45.42'N, 101°02.27'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS090 • 2 ♀; Loei Province, Wang Saphung District , Pha Bing; 17°14.47'N, 101°44.25'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS091 • 2 ♀; Loei Province, Chiang Khan District , Bu Hom; 17°55.05'N, 101°45.13'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS092 • 1 ♀; Loei Province, Phu Kradueng District , Pha Nok Khao; 16°53.65'N, 101°57.28'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS093 • 2 ♀; Phetchabun Province, Mueang District, Wat Nam Pang Cave ; 16°14.77'N, 101°08.17'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS094 • 3 ♀; Chaiyaphum Province, Phakdi Chumphon District, Wua Daeng Cave ; 16°04.55'N, 101°26.45'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS095 • 3 ♀; Loei Province, Nong Hin District; 17°02.42'N, 101°44.18'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS098 • 3 ♀; Chiang Mai Province, Mae Rim District, Mae Raem; 18°55.10'N, 98°54.52'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS101 • 1 ♀; Chiang Mai Province, Mueang District; 18°46.93'N, 98°57.53'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS103 • 2 ♀; Kanchanaburi Province, Thong Pha Phum District, Huai Kayeng; 14°37.85'N, 98°34.32'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS110 • 1 ♀; Ratchaburi Province, Mueang District, Nam Phu; 13°33.47'N, 99°36.97'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS114 • 2 ♀; Chiang Rai Province, Mae Fa Luang District; 20°14.23'N, 99°49.42'E; MUMNH-ARA-GAS123 • 3 ♀; Chiang Mai Province, Chiang Dao District; MUMNH-ARA-GAS124 .

Diagnosis.

Sternum black with dull yellow hoof-shaped patch. Abdomen octagonal, slightly wider than long. Dorsal side of abdomen with black and white patches. Edge of abdomen smooth. Three pairs of spines similar in shape. Bases of anterior spines and median spines fused. Ventral side of abdomen blackish brown with scattered chalky yellow stripes. Anterior edge with ten sigilla in total: four sigilla in the middle, three sigilla on each side, placed near the base of anterior spines. Four median sigilla arranged in trapezoid shape. Posterior edge with ten sigilla in total: six sigilla in the middle near posterior margin, forming a straight line, the pair in the middle closely placed. Outer posterior edge with five sigilla, placed near posterior spines. Epigynum subtriangular with small subtriangular scape (Fig. 11F ). Spermathecae round (Fig. 11G ), ventrally partially overlapped by unconnected sclerotized structures on each side (Fig. 11H ). Copulatory ducts encapsulated by sclerotized structure (Fig. 11G ). Fertilization ducts emerging posteriorly from spermathecae (Fig. 11G ).

Variation.

Color patterns on the abdomen of G. kuhli are variable, but commonly with inverse Y-band markings on the dorsal abdomen (Fig. 8A-C ). Another morph is pale orange (Fig. 8D ). This morph is newly discovered in this study. Its description is as follows: cephalothorax blackish brown with large dull yellow patches on each side, slightly longer than wide, clothed with short white hairs. Cephalic region highly elevated and abruptly sloped downward posteriorly, thoracic region overlapped by anterior side of abdomen. Eight eyes arranged into two rows subequal in size, located above the frontal margin: four median eyes form a trapezoid and are placed on a small protuberance at the middle of frontal margin, lateral eyes on each side placed on a tubercle near corner of frontal margin. Sternum dark brown with large hoof-shaped patch. Abdomen slightly wider than long, pale beige with small brown spots on margin. Six abdominal spines orangish brown, conical, tapering toward the tip. Anterior spines smallest, directed obliquely. Median spines pointed obliquely. Posterior spines largest, pointed backward with small brown spots near the bases. Ventral side of abdomen pale orange with scattered brown granules. Sigilla orangish brown. Ten anterior edge sigilla in total: six sigilla in the middle, two sigilla on each side near the base of anterior spines. Four median sigilla arranged in trapezoid. Ten posterior edge sigilla in total, the pair in the middle placed close together. Outer posterior edge with five sigilla near posterior spines.

Distribution and habitat.

Bhutan, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Indonesia (Java, and Sumatra), Phi1ippines, and Singapore ( Barrion and Litsinger 1995; Sen et al. 2015; World Spider Catalog 2020). Gasteracantha kuhli can be found in several habitats such as paddy fields, dipterocarp forest, dry evergreen forest and agriculture areas. The female spider builds a vertical web between shrubs or trees in open areas. The spiders sit at the center of web with head pointed downwards.

Figures

Figure 8. Females of Gasteracantha kuhli showing dorsal view (left) and ventral view (right) A-C black-white morph A specimen from Samut Prakan (MUMNH-ARA-GAS 033) B specimen from Lopburi (MUMNH-ARA-GAS 074) C specimen from Ratchaburi (MUMNH-ARA-GAS 029) D pale orange morph, specimen from Surat Thani (MUMNH-ARA-GAS 007).

Figure 11. Female genitalia of A-C Gasteracantha diadesmia D-F G. diardi G-I G. doriae J-L G. kuhli. Genitalia are shown in dorsal view (A, D, G, J), ventral view from external (B, E, H, K), and posterior view (C, F, I, L).