Dolophones notacantha

Fact Box Species: Dolophones notacantha (Identification based on comparisons with verified Queensland Museum specimens) Family: Araneidae formerly Argiopidae Body length: female: possibly 8 mm male: about 4-5 mm Habitat: Wrapped around a small twig or on green leaves Toxicity: Probably harmless due to its small size

Another specimen View from above Female underside Immature male?

The overall appearance is typical of all Australian Dolophones species, the abdomen characteristically resembling an inverted dish on which is a pattern of small oval discs, each with a slit or line in the middle. However, Dolophones notocantha and Dolophones turrigera are unusual in possessing a tall peak on the top of the abdomen. In the case of D. notacantha this tapers towards its tip which points slightly backwards, whereas on D. turrigera the peak is more nearly cylindrical (or sometimes bifurcated at the top). There are also differences in the position of this peak and in the shape and number of lesser humps at the rear of the abdomen, and the peak and surrounds on D. notacantha are notably paler than the rest of the spider.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Other Dolophones species, especially Dolophones turrigera.