Salticus mutabilis
| Salticus mutabilis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| from France | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Genus: | Salticus |
| Species: | S. mutabilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Salticus mutabilis Lucas, 1846 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Salticus mutabilis is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It has a wide distribution across Macaronesia, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, and the Caucasus, and has been introduced to Argentina.[1]
Distribution
[edit]S. mutabilis is widely distributed across the Mediterranean region and Europe, extending from the Macaronesian islands in the west to the Caucasus in the east.[1] The species is found throughout much of Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, and Sicily, where historical records show it replacing the closely related Salticus scenicus.[2] It also occurs in North Africa and Turkey. The species has been introduced to Argentina, where it was first recorded in the 19th century.[1]
Description
[edit]Salticus mutabilis shows considerable sexual dimorphism and variation in coloration patterns.[2]
Male
[edit]Males measure 4-4.75 mm in body length. The cephalothorax (front body section) is black with white borders and three white spots. The abdomen is white with a dark median band bordered by black on each side. The legs are yellow with dark rings, and the chelicerae (mouthparts) are two-toothed.[2]
The male's cephalothorax is shorter and narrower than in the related Salticus scenicus, with a squarely cut front edge. The anterior eyes form a more pronounced projection when viewed from above. The cephalothorax is black, bordered posteriorly with a bright white line and decorated with three white spots - one on the front border and two in the middle of the thorax, which are elongated and parallel.[2]
Female
[edit]Females are larger than males, measuring up to 6 mm in body length. The female's cephalothorax is often covered with tawny down that conceals the border and two central spots.[2]
The female's abdomen shows considerable variation and can appear in several forms. In one variety, the median band is interrupted at the second constriction and is completely bordered by a black line forming a figure-8 pattern with a greyish center. In another form, the median band is narrow and bright yellow, terminating in a point at the front and bordered by a black line resembling an accent mark or spear point. A third variety shows the abdomen entirely white with a very pale tawny median band effaced at the constricted areas, appearing to be replaced by three spots - the first being an arc and the other two being somewhat darkened triangles at their angles.[2]
Habitat
[edit]The species is commonly found in various European habitats and has been observed to live in a similar manner to Salticus scenicus in areas where both species occur.[2]
Taxonomy
[edit]Salticus mutabilis was first described by Lucas in 1846. The species has a complex taxonomic history with several synonyms, including Callietherus zebraneus and Callitherus tenerus, both described by Simon in 1868, and Marpissa civilis described by Holmberg in 1876.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "Salticus mutabilis Lucas, 1846". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Simon, E. (1868). "Monographie des espèces européennes de la famille des Attides (Attidae Sundewall. - Saltigradae Latreille)". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 4. 8: 11–72, 529–726.