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Artema atlanta
Long legged spiders with a relatively small fat body 10 x 4mm. With the legs flattened out it would be at least 120mm (12 cm / 4") in length. The abdomen looks more brown with black markings in the shady places that these spiders hang out, the carapace is more flat and circular with a central dark line
Tree savannah area, all over my semi-derelict (!) house by the village shop. In particular in the top corners of the walls/ceiling, behind doors which mostly remain open and in dark spaces beside cupboards etc
These spiders look like robust Daddy-longlegs, the pattern on the carapace seems similar to the pictures in our local spider book; so that points to Violin spider. But my guys are associated with untidy webs on the ceiling, not ground-dwelling and free-running. I've tried to photograph the eyes but not with much success, I don't want to handle the spiders because if they are Violin spiders then their cytotoxic venom is one of the nastier variety.
Spotted on Feb 14, 2013
Submitted on Feb 14, 2013
8 Comments
abdomen shape can be seen better in spotting 19529092
check - http://www.findaspider.org.au/find/spide...
OK, I think I've cracked it. family Pholcidae as suggested but genus Artema, probably Artema atlanta - my spiders really are pretty BIG
@ Johan, I'm not so sure. I have Daddy long legs and their abdomens are distinctly elongated and cylindrical. My guys are much wider when seen from on top and as deep as they are long from the side ending in a point - like an inverted water drop. . . I will get a photo of this angle if I can.
@ Daniele - will do.
Hi C.Sydes! You may want to add this spotting to this mission: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8176...
Hi C, I'm of the opinion that this is a Daddy long leg variety. The thorax has the same shape as a daddy long leg and the eye pattern is similar too.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/107...
Yes sweet isn't she with all the kiddies. These spiders are busily breeding all over the place which is why I'm rather keen to discover whether they are really Violin spiders. Violin spiders are about no.3 on the nasty poisonous spiders list for Southern Africa
Great series C.Sydes! I like photo # 2