Common Web Spider - Tuvalu


Neoscona theisi - In most species of spiders, females tend to be larger than males. Females of the common web spider are eight millimeters long with males being slightly smaller. Although a small spider, it has strong legs covered with yellowish and dark brown hair. It builds a typical orb web supported by branches of nearby shrubbery. Spider webs are built with proteinaceous spider silk for the purpose of catching prey. The spider is not aggressive and its toxicity effects are not well known.

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Tuvalu is made up of three small reef islands and six atolls. Coral does not provide for good soil conditions and therefore restricts agricultural productivity. This has placed a heavy burden on the surrounding ocean to provide sufficient food and has resulted in a depletion in the local fish stock from over-fishing. Almost 80% of Tuvalu’s coral reefs are either dead or dying because of ocean warming and acidification. Rising water levels are also a critical issue for the citizens of Tuvalu.