Menemerus transvaalicus

The female is larger than the male with a carapace that is between 2.2 and 2.5 millimetres (0.087 and 0.098 in) in length and 1.6 and 1.9 millimetres (0.063 and 0.075 in) in width and an abdomen that is between 2.5 and 3.6 millimetres (0.098 and 0.142 in) long and 1.7 and 2.0 millimetres (0.067 and 0.079 in) wide. It is otherwise very similar to the male. The carapace is similar, but with white and brown hairs. The maxillae are brown with pale tips. The abdomen has a more distinctive pattern.[12] The epigyne has two central oval depressions and a very wide pocket.^[13] The insemination ducts are narrow and looping, with large spermathecae.^[14]

Spiders of the Menemerus genus are difficult to distinguish.^[15] Indeed, some examples of this species were originally incorrectly identified as Menemerus soldani.^[12] The abdominal pattern helps to identify the species, but a study of the copulatory organs is needed to confirm each spider's identity.^[16] This species is particularly similar to the related Menemerus bifurcus, but differs in the shape of the male embolus, and particularly the existence of the conductor, and the lack of a triangular retrolateral bulb below the dorsal spike. The female is harder to identify but has substantially less sclerotization on the copulatory openings.^[12]

Behaviour

Due to their good eyesight, Menemerus spiders are mostly diurnal hunters. They attack using a complex approach to their prey and are generally more proactive in comparison to web-spinning spiders.^[17] The related Menemerus bifurcus lives in the tops of trees and descends to attack prey on long threads of silk.^[18] The spiders will eat a wide range of prey, including nectar.^[19] They undertake complex displays and dances during courtship.^[20] The males also undertake aggressive displays between themselves.^[21]

Distribution and habitat

Menemerus spiders are found throughout Africa and Asia, and have been identified as far as Latin America.^[22] Menemerus transvaalicus lives in Lesotho and South Africa.^[1] The male holotype was found in the Marievale Bird Sanctuary in 1990.^[12] Examples have been found throughout the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng provinces.^[23] The first examples to be found in Lesotho were discovered in Moshoeshoe I International Airport near Maseru in 1977, and later near the Mohale Dam and in Qacha's Nek District in 2003.^[24] The species often lives in the barks of trees, particularly Eucalyptus, and on the walls of buildings.^[23]

References

Citations

Bibliography