A small, but distinctive, member or the orb weaver family (Araneidae).

Northern jewelled spider - Gasteracantha fornicata - Photo by Alex Pawlow

Gasteracantha fornicata has the honor of being the first Australian spider to be named and classified, by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.

It is endemic to north Queensland and is a common site in rainforest between Cairns and Cape Tribulation.

The large spines give this small spider a crab like appearance and it is distinguished from other members of the spiny orb spider family by its horizontal light and dark burgundy-red red baring.