ZEROS Fauna – Scastal Spider (part1)

Scastal is a large volcanic island, known for its amazing biodiversity, even compared to the rest of Zeros. On the island, many species of arachnids have acquired singular and unique morphologies to survive. This is also the case with spiders, with cases of such extreme differences between species of the same genus that some find it difficult to see their connection.

Spinogaster rachnoides, also known as "Bride's silk weaver", is a spider in the family Orbitelaeidae. It lives in the branches of mangrove trees, where it weaves very long webs, sometimes over a mangrove channel. Despite its colors, it is not poisonous! No offense to local legends which attribute to it a paralyzing or hallucinatory venom.

Spinogaster triangularis, nicknamed "Triangular weaver", of the Family Orbitelaeidae. This spider prefers grassy plains or edges. More restrained than its mangrove cousin, this species is very easily recognizable by its vaguely triangular abdomen, which gave it its name.

Spinogaster viridemalum, called "Jungle apple weaver", this spider of the Family Orbitelaeidae is the only known species of this family to have an almost symbiotic relationship with a tree. This species weaves its web only in Jungle Apple Trees (Tropicomalus sp.). The fruits of this tree are very fragrant and attract many insects, including unwanted insects. The web of this spider then serves as a natural filter that allows certain small or poisonous insects to pass... such as the micro-bees that pollinate this species of tree.

Sarasalta glyphoida, or "Glyph Sara's spider" is a jumping spider of the family Salticidae. Its name comes from the “Y” shaped design on the abdomen of both sexes. Males have a smaller abdomen than females, but their first legs are larger and brightly colored (unlike females, whose first legs are black and as thin as the other legs).

Microstoma marmoratus, or simply "Marbled microstome", is an endemic species of spider found nowhere else in the world, despite the Family, Cryptomorphidae, occurring on other continents. Its particular anatomy makes it easy to identify: 4 legs designed for hunting, at the front of the body, the second pair of which is larger than the first; 4 motor legs placed behind the prosome; broad and flattened pedipalps which create confusion between the sexes; and especially an abdomen that is half the length of the prosome, common in both males and females.