Synema (masked crab spiders)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Arthropoda > Arachnomorpha > Cheliceriformes > Chelicerata > Euchelicerata > Arachnida > Araneae > Araneomorpha > Family: Thomisidae (crab spiders)

Synema has a green to brown prosoma (cephalothorax - anterior body segment including legs) and cream round to oval abdomen adorned with what looks like a brown skull. This colouration affords a good camouflage in vegetation. Synema is more active in its prey capture as it hides amongst the vegetation and dashes out to surprise an unsuspecting insect.

Synema sp. This species appears to be intermediate between Synema and Diaea. [image N. Larsen ©]	Synema imitator. with bee prey. [image N. Larsen ©]

Text by Norman Larsen ©