Perenethis venusta

Fact Box Species: Perenethis venusta (Identification based on several publications as listed in notes below) Family: Pisauridae Body length: female: about 12 mm male: about 11 mm Habitat: On green leaves of trees and tall grasses, perhaps in a spoon-shaped web/retreat Toxicity: Unknown; handle with caution since some relatives may produce a painful bite

Another view With its egg sac Another specimen

Note that the identification of this species was based on information included in a Queensland Museum publication and also on similarities with Perenethis unifasciata and Perenethis venusta as presented in the following web articles:

http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/spiders/text/Perenethis_unifasciata.htm

http://www.biol.ntnu.edu.tw/formosa/2002.37.1/2002-37-1-31-35.pdf

This species is very difficult to distinguish from the philodromid, Tibellus tenellus and also has the same general shape and markings as the zorid Thasyraea species although all three spiders are presently placed in different families.

Each of the three has a line running down the centre of the body from the eyes to the rear end of the abdomen but on Perenethis it is broad in front and narrows progressively and on Tibellus tenellus it tapers and also becomes less distinct towards the rear of the spider. On Thasyraea it is distinct and narrow for the full length of the spider, the legs or which appear to be relatively shorter than those of the other two spiders. Other differences between the three species can be seen clearly only with the aid of a stereo microscope.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Tibellus tenellus and Thasyraea species.