Phidippus adumbratus

Gertsch, 1934

California Red Jumping Spider

Phidippus adumbratus is a jumping spider in the Salticidae, commonly known as the California Red Jumping Spider. It belongs to the insignarius group within the Phidippus. The species was first described by Gertsch in 1934 from a collected in Los Angeles. Its specific epithet derives from Latin adumbratus, meaning 'secret' or 'in the dark,' possibly alluding to the missing of the specimen.

Kingdesmond Phidippus by Desmond Talkington (en:User:Kingdesmond). Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.Phidippus adumbratus 2538768 by Pat Farris. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.California Phidippus by Mitchel from West Los Angeles. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phidippus adumbratus: /ˈfɪdɪpəs ædʌmˈbreɪtəs/

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

Identification

As a member of the Phidippus insignarius group, P. adumbratus may share coloration patterns with related in this complex. Definitive identification requires examination of external genitalia under a microscope. Visual identification alone is unreliable due to variation and overlap in color patterns among Phidippus species.

Images

Habitat

Within the United States, occurs in the California Floristic Province in native chaparral and oak-sycamore-chaparral woodland at elevations of 500–3,700 ft (150–1,130 m). Has been observed in coastal sage scrub in the San Diego area.

Distribution

United States (California Floristic Province) and Mexico. In Mexico, documented from Baja California's Central Desert ecoregion including Sierra Blanca, Ensenada Municipality, Mesa Escondido, and San Antonio de Las Minas.

Similar Taxa

  • Phidippus apacheanusBoth are large, colorful Phidippus with red/orange and black coloration; however, P. apacheanus occurs in grasslands and prairies across much of the central and southern United States, not in California chaparral, and males have black venter with bright orange dorsum rather than the pattern typical of P. adumbratus
  • Phidippus insignarius group speciesMultiple in this group share similar body plans and color patterns; microscopic examination of genitalia is required for reliable separation

Tags

Sources and further reading