Cteniza sauvagesi

Cteniza sauvagesi
Cteniza sauvagesi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Suborder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Ctenizidae
Genus: Cteniza
Species: C. sauvagesi
Binomial name
Cteniza sauvagesi
Rossi, 1788
Synonyms
  • Aranea sauvagii
  • Aranea sauvagesii
  • Mygale sauvagesi
  • Mygale fodiens
  • Nemesia fodiens
  • Cteniza fodiens

Cteniza sauvagesi is a trapdoor spider in the family Ctenizidae. It can reach 20 mm in body length, and is dark and sturdy, with a shining head. The species occurs in the Mediterranean region, mainly on Corsica and Sardinia. Their burrows are lined with silk, more so than with Nemesiidae spiders. The cork-like lid can have a diameter of up to one cm. When the spider notices prey (probably by detecting vibration), it lunges out, grabs it and retreats immediately. The spider always stays inside its burrow with its hindlegs, in order not to lock itself out.

The male wanders about, searching for a mate. If he finds one, he will quaver on her lid with his legs. The female will then appear.

References

  • Bellman, H. (1997). Kosmos-Atlas Spinnentiere Europas. (German)

External links