Zodarion rubidum

Taxobox
name = "Zodarion rubidum"


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Araneae
subordo = Araneomorphae
familia = Zodariidae
genus = "Zodarion"
species = "Z. rubidum"
binomial = "Zodarion rubidum"
binomial_authority = Simon, 1914

"Zodarion rubidum" is a spider species of the Zodariidae family.

Like most Zodariidae, "Z. rubidum" is an ant-eating spider. It resembles ants structurally and behaviorally. "Z. rubidum" specifically mimics red ants, such as "Myrmica sabuleti". It often feeds on "Tetramorium caespitum" or "Lasius platythorax".

"Z. rubidum" is up to 5mm in size. Like many other zodariid spiders, it moves across open ground in the evening and at night.

Distribution

"Z. rubidum" originally occurred in southwestern France, but has spread during the last few decades into central Europe, and has been introduced to U.S. and Canada.

References

* Pekar, S. & Kral, J. (2002) Mimicry complex in two central European zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): how "Zodarion" deceives ants. "Biological Journal of the Linnean Society" 75:517–532. [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1095-8312.2002.00043.x Abstract]