Fishes - Home

carried by the chelicerae of the mother till they hatch. Artema atlanta
which sometimes occurs in the same Habitat has similar habits.
Spiders of the family Tetragnathidae have the cephalothorax long and
eyes in two rows; lateral eyes nearly contiguous, chelicerae long with
strong teeth, specially developed in males for locking with those of the
females in copulation. Legs greatly elongated. Palp in male simple.
Two genera, Tetragnatha and Eucta.Members of the genus Tetragnatha
are-weaving spiders, common on grass and on low plants. TieSpiders rest
by day with their legs stretched in front and behind and are only active at
night. They spin large orb-webs at sun-down among grasses and other
foliage usually in the vicinity of water. Two species in the State, both
widely distributed in India.
The genus Eucta is abundant near water. Differs from Tetragnatha
only in having the abdomen produced beyond the spinners into a pointed
tail. Eucta javana the species found in the State is widely distributed in
India.
The family Argyopidae has the cephalothorax usually flat, thoracic
region oval or nearly circular, separated from head by an oblique
depression. Eyes not very different in size. Medians may form either a
square or a trapezium; laterals close to one another and often projecting.
Clypeus narrower than the ocular area. Sternum heart- shaped or
triangular, coax IV being nearly contiguous. Legs furnished with
numerous spines, with three tarsal claws. This is the only family of spiders
that spins true orb-webs. 12 genera in Maharashtra.
Species of the genus Argyope frequently decorate their orb with white
silken ribbons arranged symmetrically. Of the two species in the State,
Argyope pulchella is widely distributed. Argyope arcuata constructs a net
web, often suspended between adjoining branches of low-growing plants.
It is large, orb-shaped, with characteristic four white silken zigzag lines,
making a cross “X” in the centre of the web. These white lines serve as
FAUNA 516