The Spiders of the Madeira Islands

Abstract

WHEN in the Madeira Islands a few years ago I collected some spiders, which have now been kindly determined by Dr. N. Banks. Although the collection is small and relatively unimportant, it suggests some problems of general interest. At and about Funchal, Madeira, I obtained Cyrtophora citricola Forsk., Epeira crucifera Lucas, Mangora acalypha Walck., Teutana grossa Koch, Lepthyphantes tenuis Blk., Xysticus insulanus Thor., Clubionadecora Blk., and Chiracanthium albidulum Blk. In the island of Porto Santo I collected Lycosa maderiana Walck. (abundant under stones), Pholcus phalangioides Fuessl. (in an outhouse), Argiope trifasciata Forsk. (this African species also abounds in Madeira), Ariadne portosancti Kulcz., Dysdera crocata Koch, Dictyna (Ergatis) puella Sim., Epeira crucifera Lucas, Ero aphana Walck., Xysticus insulanus Thor., Thanatus vulgaris Sim., Teutana grossa Koch, and Zilla x-notata Clerck.