A taxonomic revision of the African part of the orb-weaving genus Argiope (Araneae: Araneidae)

Abstract

AbstractThe genus Argiope Audouin, 1826 (Araneae: Araneidae) is revised for Africa, including neighboring islands and Arabia. Thirteen species are recognized as distinct. Eight of these are redescribed: A. aurocincta Pocock, 1898, A. australis (Walckenaer, 1805), A. bruennichii (Scopoli, 1772), A. coquerelii (Vinson, 1863), A. flavipalpis (Lucas, 1858), A. lobata (Pallas, 1772), A. sector (ForskÅl, 1775), A. trifasciata (ForskÅl, 1775); five species: A. anomalopalpis (generic placement uncertain!), A. comorica, A. tapinolobata, A. levii, and A. ranomafanensis are described as new. The male of A. australis is described for the first time. Nineteen taxa are placed in synonymy: A. anasuja fletcheri Hirst, 1911, A. banana Strand, 1920, A. bruennichii africana Strand, 1906, A. caudata Blackwall, 1865, A. clathrata Koch, 1839, A. clarkii Blackwall, 1865, A. cuspidata Thorell, 1859, A. elegans Thorell, 1859, A. fissilioba Koch, 1875, A. gracilis Blackwall, 1866, A. gibberosa Caporiocco, 1947, A. lordii Cambridge, 1870, A. laeta Thorell, 1859, A. nigripes Simon, 1898, A. nigrovittata Thorell, 1859, A. obscuripes Strand, 1906, A. pechuelii Karsch, 1879, A. sericea capoverdiana Capello, 1866, A. suavissima Gerstäcker, 1873. Keys to the known males and females of all valid taxa are provided.