Paraplectanoides crassipes

Fact Box Species: Paraplectanoides crassipes (QM and as suggested by Volker Framenau) Family: Araneidae (formerly Argiopidae) Body length: female: at least 5 mm male: about 2 mm Habitat: This species is said to be cryptic (hence rarely found) and lives in dense vegetation near the ground or under loose objects, where it builds a retreat for egg-laying Toxicity: This is a small reclusive species that is probably harmless to humans

Another view Front view Underneath male

The spider shown in the main photo above is a juvenile male. The adult female of this species is much larger and its body shape is notably different from that of the male. The female carapace is very high and wide at the rear and sloped downwards in front, and the upper surface of the abdomen has the general appearance of a baked pie, whereas on the male there are two lateral 'haunches' at the rear. The whole of the female is a light orange-brown colour, unlike the male which is more nearly a dark grey colour. A distinctive characteristic of this species is the presence of a row of strong hairs along on the inside edge of outer segments of at least the first three pairs of legs.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: None.