Araneus angulatus
Encyclopedia
Araneus angulatus is a species
of orb-weaving spider found in the Palaearctic. It resembles the European garden spider
, Araneus diadematus, but has distinctive tubercles on its abdomen. The species was first described in Aranei Svecici in 1757, where it was the first species described, making Araneus angulatus the first scientific name of an animal that is still in use.
, Araneus diadematus, but can be distinguished by the presence of angular tubercle
s on the abdomen.
, although rarer in Northern Europe
. A. angulatus is rare in the United Kingdom
, where it is restricted to areas near the South coast of England.
, suspended from bushes and trees, often with support lines leading to the ground. Unlike A. diadematus, the web of A. angulatus has no retreat, so the spider must sit in the centre of the web while it waits for prey. It detects prey items by vibrations they cause in the web, but has also been observed during a country fair
, and reported to be "indifferent to crowds, music and fireworks
".
's 1757 work / . Under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
has precedence over the 10th edition of Carl Linnaeus' Systema Naturae
from 1758, and is therefore the first work to contain scientific names of animals that are still in use.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of orb-weaving spider found in the Palaearctic. It resembles the European garden spider
European garden spider
The European garden spider, diadem spider, cross spider, or cross orbweaver is a very common and well-known orb-weaver spider in Europe and parts of North America, in a range extending from New England and the Southeast to California and the northwestern United States and adjacent parts of...
, Araneus diadematus, but has distinctive tubercles on its abdomen. The species was first described in Aranei Svecici in 1757, where it was the first species described, making Araneus angulatus the first scientific name of an animal that is still in use.
Description
Araneus angulatus closely resembles the more frequent European garden spiderEuropean garden spider
The European garden spider, diadem spider, cross spider, or cross orbweaver is a very common and well-known orb-weaver spider in Europe and parts of North America, in a range extending from New England and the Southeast to California and the northwestern United States and adjacent parts of...
, Araneus diadematus, but can be distinguished by the presence of angular tubercle
Tubercle
A tubercle is generally a wart-like projection, but it has slightly different meaning depending on which family of plants or animals it is used to refer to....
s on the abdomen.
Distribution
Araneus angulatus is found across a wide geographical range in the Palaearctic. It is widespread in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, although rarer in Northern Europe
Northern Europe
Northern Europe is the northern part or region of Europe. Northern Europe typically refers to the seven countries in the northern part of the European subcontinent which includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden...
. A. angulatus is rare in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, where it is restricted to areas near the South coast of England.
Ecology
A. angulatus constructs a large orb webSpider web
A spider web, spiderweb, spider's web or cobweb is a device built by a spider out of proteinaceous spider silk extruded from its spinnerets....
, suspended from bushes and trees, often with support lines leading to the ground. Unlike A. diadematus, the web of A. angulatus has no retreat, so the spider must sit in the centre of the web while it waits for prey. It detects prey items by vibrations they cause in the web, but has also been observed during a country fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
, and reported to be "indifferent to crowds, music and fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
".
Taxonomic history
Araneus angulatus was the first of the 66 species described in Carl Alexander ClerckCarl Alexander Clerck
Carl Alexander Clerck was a Swedish entomologist and arachnologist.Clerck came from a family in the petty nobility and entered the University of Uppsala in 1726. Little is known of his studies; although a contemporary of Linnaeus, it is unknown whether he had any contact with him during his time...
's 1757 work / . Under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is a widely accepted convention in zoology that rules the formal scientific naming of organisms treated as animals...
has precedence over the 10th edition of Carl Linnaeus' Systema Naturae
Systema Naturae
The book was one of the major works of the Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician Carolus Linnaeus. The first edition was published in 1735...
from 1758, and is therefore the first work to contain scientific names of animals that are still in use.