Dolophones turrigera

Fact Box Species: Dolophones turrigera (RM) (or a closely related species Note: It appears there are several undescribed or rarely photographed Australian Dolophones species so the species name used here should be considered tentative) Family: Araneidae formerly Argiopidae Body length: female: 8 mm male: 4-5 mm Habitat: Wrapped around a small twig or resting on the underside of a green leaf; most often found in eucalypt forests Toxicity: The toxicity of the venom of this species is unknown but the spider is not aggressive and may be too small to cause illness in humans although an accidental biting may lead to local pain and inflammation

Another specimen View from front Female underside Another specimen The same species? Rear view A divided turret Rear view

The upper surface of the abdomen resembles a flat, inverted dish or shield but with a vertical turret in the centre and some lesser ridges behind it. Like serveral other araneid genera Dolophones species have an upper abdominal surface covered with round plates, each with a slit or line in the middle. The overall colour and appearance of this spider provides excellent camouflage when it is resting on a dead twig.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Other Dolophones species, such as Dolophones conifera.