Attulus ammophilus

(Thorell, 1875)

Attulus ammophilus is a in the Salticidae, first described by Thorell in 1875. It is to parts of Europe, Northern Asia, and Central Asia, with established in North America. The species name 'ammophilus' suggests an association with sandy . Unlike the closely related and Critically Endangered Attulus distinguendus, this species has a broader distribution and is not considered threatened.

NA13-5790 Attulus ammophilus male by Wayne Maddison. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Sitticini (10.3897-zookeys.925.39691) Figures 49–68 by Maddison WP, Maddison DR, Derkarabetian S, Hedin M (2020) Sitticine jumping spiders: phylogeny, classification, and chromosomes (Araneae, Salticidae, Sitticini). ZooKeys 925: 1-54. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.925.39691. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Sitticini (10.3897-zookeys.925.39691) Figures 140–142 by Maddison WP, Maddison DR, Derkarabetian S, Hedin M (2020) Sitticine jumping spiders: phylogeny, classification, and chromosomes (Araneae, Salticidae, Sitticini). ZooKeys 925: 1-54. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.925.39691. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Attulus ammophilus: //əˈtjuːləs əˈmoʊfɪləs//

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Identification

Attulus ammophilus can be distinguished from the similar Attulus distinguendus (Distinguished ) by distribution and context; A. distinguendus is restricted to two brownfield sites in the UK and is Critically Endangered, whereas A. ammophilus has a much wider Palearctic range. Specific morphological diagnostic features require examination.

Images

Habitat

The name 'ammophilus' (sand-loving) indicates association with sandy environments. occur in open, dry across its range. populations in North America have established in similar open, sandy, or sparsely vegetated conditions.

Distribution

to Romania, Ukraine, Russia (Europe), Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and Afghanistan. and established in Canada and the United States. Present across Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China).

Human Relevance

Attulus ammophilus is occasionally confused with the Critically Endangered Attulus distinguendus in discussions, particularly regarding UK brownfield site protection. The two have been mentioned together in policy debates about development impacts on rare .

Similar Taxa

Attulus distinguendusClosely related with similar appearance; distinguished by extremely restricted UK distribution (two brownfield sites only), Critically Endangered status, and smaller size (approximately 5mm). A. ammophilus has a broad Palearctic range and North .

Misconceptions

The has been implicitly conflated with Attulus distinguendus in some public policy discussions, where '' were broadly referenced without distinguishing between the critically endangered UK and the widespread A. ammophilus. The two species have distinct statuses and geographic ranges.

More Details

Taxonomic note

Formerly placed in the Attus as Attus ammophilus Thorell, 1875; subsequently transferred to Attulus.

Etymology

The specific epithet 'ammophilus' derives from Greek 'ammos' (sand) and 'philos' (loving), indicating the ' ecological preference for sandy substrates.