Nicodamus peregrinus
| Red and black Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Nicodamidae |
| Genus: | Nicodamus |
| Species: | N. peregrinus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nicodamus peregrinus Walckenaer, 1841
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Nicodamus peregrinus, known as the red and black spider, is a spider found in eastern and southern Australia.[1] Unlike the redback spider (Latrodectus hasseltii), the bright red colouration does not appear to warn of significant danger to humans. Food is a variety of small insects. They have been recorded in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Description and egg sac[edit]
Usually found under bark, fallen trees or stones close to the ground. Legs are red and black. The cephalothorax is red, the abdomen is black or sometimes a dark blue. Palps are red and black. Body length of males is 8 to 10 mm, females 12 to 14 mm. The egg sac is 10 to 20 mm in diameter and contains from 30 to 50 cream eggs, 1 mm in diameter. The sac is plano-convex in shape, consisting of white fluffy silk, placed in a sheltered area such as under bark.[2] Near continual courtship and mating have been observed when in captivity, resulting in the exhaustive death of the males.[3] These spiders tend to wave their forelegs in the air while walking, and the males tap the ground with their palps.
Naming & taxonomy[edit]
This spider belongs to the family Nicodamidae. However, it has also been placed in the families Theridiidae, Agelenidae and Zodariidae.[2] It was originally named by the French arachnologist Charles Walckenaer as Theridion peregrinum in 1841. However, there have been several name changes and synonymisations. The most recent being in 1995, after a revision of the family Nicodamidae, when the name Centropelma bicolorwas synonymised with Nicodamus peregrinus.[1] Walckenaer's original specific epithet peregrinum refers to the wandering nature of the spider.
References[edit]
- ^ a b Robert Whyte & Greg Anderson. "Nicodamus spp. Red-black Spiders". Arachne.org.au. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ a b Mascord, Ramon (1970). Australian Spiders in Colour. Artarmon NSW, Australia: A.H. & A.W. Reid SBN 589 07065 7. p. 66.
- ^ McKeown, Keith C. (1952). Australian Spiders. Australian Museum: Sirius Books. pp. 248–249.