Zodarion italicum

Taxobox
name = "Zodarion italicum"


image_caption =
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Araneae
subordo = Araneomorphae
familia = Zodariidae
genus = "Zodarion"
species = "Z. italicum"
binomial = "Zodarion italicum"
binomial_authority = (Canestrini, 1868)
range_

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range_map_width = 250px
synonyms = "Enyo italica"
"Zodarion gallicum"

"Zodarion italicum" is a European ant-eating spider. Like the closely related "Z. hamatum", it is nocturnal and captures various ant species.Pekár, S., Král, J., Malten, A. & Komposch, C. (2005). Comparison of natural histories and karyotypes of two closely related ant-eating spiders, "Zodarion hamatum" and "Z. italicum" (Araneae, Zodariidae). "Journal of Natural History" 39(19):1583-1596. [http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/(bfh2qk451rygf355gvncuoi3)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,2,8;journal,38,157;linkingpublicationresults,1:102470,1 Abstract] - DOI|10.1080/00222930400016762] . "Z. italicum" seems to be specialized in Formicinae ants. Both species are generalized mimics of orange-dark brown ants, such as "Lasius emarginatus".

It was first discovered in Britain in 1984, where it is widespread in the Grays area of Essex and occurs among rubble on waste ground and in chalk quarries, often with the ant "Lasius niger".National History Museum: [http://nbn.nhm.ac.uk/nhm/bin/nbntaxa.dll/taxon_details?taxon_key=NBNSYS0000008641 Details for "Zodarion italicum"] (1993)]

References