A revalidation and redescription of the orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze 1997) (Araneae: Araneidae)

 


A revalidation and redescription of the orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze 1997) (Araneae: Araneidae)

Abstract

Based on the female lectotype from the D.E. Kharitonov’s collection, we provide a re-evaluation and redescription of an orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze, 1997). Following an examination of Araniella villanii Zamani et al., 2020 paratypes, we considered this a junior synonym of A. tbilisiensis. Additionally, the photographs of the epigyne of a female specimen from D.E. Kharitonov’s collection, originally assigned to A. tbilisiensis, are presented as an unknown Araniella sp.

Tiunov A, Ustinova AL (2025) A revalidation and redescription of the orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze 1997) (Araneae: Araneidae). Caucasiana 4: 195-201. https://doi.org/10.3897/caucasiana.4.e173656