Cyrtophora
| Tent-web spider | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Green tent spider | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Araneidae |
| Subfamily: | Cyrtophorinae |
| Genus: |
Cyrtophora Simon, 1864 |
| Species | |
|
See text |
|
| Diversity | |
| 38 species | |
See text
Cyrtophora, the tent-web spiders, although technically orb-web spiders (family Araneidae), do not build orb webs. Their tent-like, highly complex non-sticky web is sometimes considered a precursor of the simplified orb web. These webs are aligned horizontally, with a network of supporting threads above them. These spiders often live in colonies. Females have a body length of mostly about 10 mm.
Some members (e.g. Cyrtophora cicatrosa) exhibit the ability to change colour rapidly.
A kleptoparasitic spider (Argyrodes fissifrons) was found to live in a mutualistic relationships with Cyrtophora species.
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