Neoscona
Encyclopedia
Neoscona is a genus of spider
in the family Araneidae with a mostly pantropical
distribution. One species, N. adianta, has a palearctic
distribution, and several species occur in North America
.
There is a characteristic longitudinal groove on the carapace
which separates all species of Neoscona from species of Araneus
.
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
in the family Araneidae with a mostly pantropical
Pantropical
In biogeography, a pantropical distribution one which covers tropical regions of all of the major continents, i.e. in Africa, in Asia and in the Americas. Examples include the plant genera Acacia and Bacopa....
distribution. One species, N. adianta, has a palearctic
Palearctic
The Palearctic or Palaearctic is one of the eight ecozones dividing the Earth's surface.Physically, the Palearctic is the largest ecozone...
distribution, and several species occur in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
There is a characteristic longitudinal groove on the carapace
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
which separates all species of Neoscona from species of Araneus
Araneus
Araneus is a genus of common orb-weaving spiders. It includes about 650 species, among which are the European garden spider and the barn spider.-Description:...
.
External links
- University of Florida on N. crucifera and N. domiciliorum
- Pictures of Neoscona hentzi (free for noncommercial use)