Habronattus forticulus
(Gertsch & Mulaik, 1936)
Habronattus forticulus is a of jumping spider in the Salticidae, first described by Gertsch & Mulaik in 1936. It belongs to a large of small, ground-dwelling spiders known for elaborate . The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, inhabiting prairie and open grassland where it hunts actively using vision rather than building webs.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Habronattus forticulus: //hæb.rəˈnæt.əs fɔrˈtɪk.jʊləs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Prairie and open grassland with scattered vegetation; found on the ground, on stones, and amid leaf litter. The Habronattus is typically ground-dwelling rather than arboreal.
Distribution
United States and Mexico. Records indicate presence in southwestern U.S. states and southward into Mexico.
Behavior
As a member of the Habronattus, this likely exhibits complex multimodal courtship involving both visual and vibratory signals. Males in this genus typically use modified third legs for visual display to females, combined with substrate-borne acoustic signals.
Similar Taxa
- Habronattus cuspidatusBoth occur in Colorado and share the characteristic large spur on the 'knee' joint of the third leg in males, a -level trait used in .
- Habronattus calcaratusClosely related with similar elaborate courtship involving modified third legs and vibratory signaling.
More Details
Genus characteristics
Habronattus is a large of approximately 100 , with the greatest diversity in the southwestern United States. Members are small spiders, often 3-4 millimeters in length, and males frequently display colors used in courtship.