Pararaneus

Pararaneus is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first described by Lodovico [di Caporiacco] in 1940.

Description

Pararaneus resembles Neoscona species but they are decorated with more and stronger spines, especially the males. Their color varies from dark brown to reddish yellow. In some species the shield-like, dorsally rounded abdomen has a pair of small white spots and in most species there are four or five transverse bands over the abdomen.
Their moderately long legs are the same color as the carapace and bear strong spines, especially in males. Anterior protruding eyes are especially significant in males, with the eyes positioned on tubercles.

Species

, this genus includes five species:

Pararaneus cyrtoscapus – Central, East, Southern Africa, Yemen
Pararaneus perforatus – Central, East, Southern Africa
Pararaneus pseudostriatus – Central, East Africa
Pararaneus spectator – Africa, Middle East
Pararaneus uncivulva – Madagascar