Araneus diversicolor (Rainbow, 1893)

W. Framenau, Volker, 2019, Generic and family transfers, and numina dubia for orb-weaving spiders (Araneae, Araneidae) in the Australasian, Oriental and Pacific regions, Evolutionary Systematics 3 (1), pp. 1-27 : 15

Araneus diversicolor (Rainbow, 1893)

Epeira diversicolor Rainbow, 1893: 16-18, plate. 3, figs 1, 1 a–b.

Araneus diversicolor (Rainbow). Rainbow 1911: 185; Bonnet 1955: 498.

Aranea diversicolor (Rainbow). Roewer 1942: 827.

Type material.

Holotype of Epeira diversicolor Rainbow, 1893: female, Sydney [33°53'S, 151°13'E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA] (whereabouts unknown).

Remarks.

The holotype female Epeira diversicolor is not present in the collection of the AM and must be considered lost. The original description of this species, in particular the shape of the epigyne, suggests this species to belong to Cyrtophora Simon, 1864. Taking into account the diversity of this genus in eastern Australia (e.g. Framenau 2008; Framenau and Scharff 2009) it is unlikely that this species can be identified confidently. Therefore, I consider the species-group name Epeira diversicolor a nomen dubium.