Mexigonus
Edwards, 2003
Species Guides
2Mexigonus is a of jumping spiders ( Salticidae) first described by G. B. Edwards in 2003. The genus name references Mexico, where the first identified were discovered. As of 2019, it contains four species distributed in Mexico and the southwestern United States. The genus is characterized by small body size and typical salticid .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Mexigonus: //ˌmɛk.sɪˈɡoʊ.nəs//
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Identification
Mexigonus are small jumping spiders that can be distinguished from other North American salticid by subtle morphological features of the genitalia and arrangement. Specific identification to species level requires examination of male or female . The genus is most readily recognized in combination with its known geographic range in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
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Habitat
Found in arid and semi-arid environments of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Specific microhabitat preferences are not well documented but likely include ground litter, low vegetation, and rocky substrates typical of jumping spiders in xeric regions.
Distribution
Mexico and the southwestern United States. Specific records include Arizona (USA) and various Mexican states. The type Mexigonus minutus occurs in both countries, while M. morosus and M. arizonensis are recorded from the USA, and M. dentichelis from Mexico only.
Ecological Role
Presumed to function as small of arthropods in arid and semi-arid , as is typical for jumping spiders, though specific ecological studies are lacking.
Similar Taxa
- HabronattusAnother of small jumping spiders found in North American arid regions; Mexigonus can be distinguished by differences in genitalic and pattern details.
- PellenesSmall palearctic and nearctic jumping spiders with overlapping size range; Mexigonus differs in geographic distribution and subtle morphological characters of the .
More Details
Etymology
The name combines 'Mexi-' (referring to Mexico, where the first were described) with the suffix '-gonus' (common in salticid genera, from Greek 'gonia' meaning angle or corner).
Taxonomic History
now placed in Mexigonus were previously assigned to other ; M. arizonensis was described as Attus arizonensis by Banks in 1904, and M. minutus and M. dentichelis were originally described in the genus Pellenes by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1901.