Araneus singularis (Urquhart, 1891)

W. Framenau, Volker, 2019, Generic and family transfers, and numina dubia for orb-weaving spiders (Araneae, Araneidae) in the Australasian, Oriental and Pacific regions, Evolutionary Systematics 3 (1), pp. 1-27 : 17

Araneus singularis (Urquhart, 1891)

Epeira singulara Urquhart, 1891: 240-242, fig. 2.

Aranea singulara (Urquhart). Roewer 1942: 833.

Type material.

Holotype of Epeira singulara Urquhart, 1891: female, Tasmania [no exact locality, AUSTRALIA] (whereabouts unknown).

Remarks.

The holotype of Epeira singulara seems to be lost. The original description suggests affinities with E. pustulosa ( Urquhart 1891, p. 242: "posterior tubercles [of abdomen], 5; first row slightly developed; tubercle of second row most prominent"). Plate 1 with figure 2 of the epigyne of this species was not present in the copies of Urquhart’s (1891) volume that were available to me and may never have been published. Despite postulated unique "remarkable irregular metallic markings on the abdomen" it is not possible to undoubtedly identify this species. I therefore consider Epeira singulara a nomen dubium.