Metaltella

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Metaltella: //mɛtælˈtɛlə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Summary

Metaltella simoni is a South American spider species, known for its distinct coloration and eye characteristics. It has expanded its range to parts of North America since its introduction.

Physical Characteristics

Females measure about 8 to 9 mm in length and males about 7 to 8.5 mm. Both sexes are brown with darker features on the carapace and legs. The abdomen is mottled grey or grey-black with indistinct paler chevrons. Males have an orange-yellow area at the back of the carapace, darkening to brown at the front. The lateral eyes are larger than the median eyes.

Identification Tips

Look for the unique coloration patterns: the mottled grey on the abdomen and the larger lateral eyes compared to the median eyes.

Habitat

Prefers habitats under logs and ground level areas in wooded environments.

Distribution

Native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina; introduced in the United States and Canada, specifically noted in Louisiana, Mississippi, and coastal southern California.

Evolution

Originally described as Amaurobius simoni by Eugen von Keyserling in 1878; later transferred to the genus Metaltella by Pekka T. Lehtinen in 1967.

Tags

• spider
• Metaltella simoni
• South America
• introduction
• arachnid