Argyrodes fissifrons explained
Argyrodes fissifrons, the split-faced silver spider, is a species of spider of the genus Argyrodes. It is found from Sri Lanka to China and Australia.[1]
Description
The female is larger than the male, at about 12mm in length. The abdomen is triangular, with the spinnerets pointing downwards and the hind-end pointing backwards. The body has silvery spots and has long and thin legs. The males have bumps on their head. After mating, male seals the epigyne of the female with a resin plug to inhibit further copulation.[2]
Ecology
A kleptoparasitic spider, it sometimes preys upon its host spider Agelena limbata, during or just after molting of the host. However, this species is much smaller than the host.[3] Recently, scientists found that their association with Cyrtophora spider webs, from Orchid Island, of Taiwan. Scientists finally found that A. fissifrons scavenge on webs of Cyrtophora hosts by collecting small preys ignored by the hosts.[4] [5]
Subspecies
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Argyrodes fissifrons O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869. World Spider Catalog . 22 May 2016.
- Web site: Split-Faced Silver Spider . A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders . 2000 . 22 May 2016 . Koh, Joseph K. H..
- 3705367. Rate of Predation by a Kleptoparasitic Spider, Argyrodes fissifrons, upon a Large Host Spider, Agelena limbata . 12 . 363–367. Tanaka . Koichi . The Journal of Arachnology . 1984 . 3 .
- Web site: Argyrodes fissifrons inhabiting webs of Cyrtophora hosts : Prey size distribution and Population Characteristics . zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw . 22 May 2016.
- 23260470 . A color-mediated mutualism between two arthropod predators . 10.1016/j.cub.2012.11.057 . 23 . 2013 . Curr. Biol. . 172–6 . Peng . P . Blamires . SJ . Agnarsson . I . Lin . HC . Tso . IM. 2 . free .
- Web site: Argyrodes fissifrons terressae Thorell, 1891 . World Spider Catalog . 22 May 2016.
