| Ballus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male B. chalybeius | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Subfamily: | Salticinae |
| Genus: | Ballus C. L. Koch, 1850 |
| Type species | |
| Salticus heterophthalmus Wider, 1834 | |
| Species | |
Ballus is a spider genus of the family Salticidae (jumping spiders).
Ballus are typically small, squat spiders. [1] The carapace is broad oval, almost as wide as long, flat on top with the sides and back almost vertical, and a rugose surface. The shield-shaped opisthosoma is broadly truncated at the front.
In males, the femora, patellae and tibiae on the first pair of legs are swollen, and there is a fringe below the tibiae. Although they are often entirely mottled dark brown, some species are much more colorful. [1]
This genus has mainly a Palearctic distribution, extending from Europe and North Africa to Central Asia. [2] There are two species from Sri Lanka, and one species recorded from Japan. One species was described from Myanmar, though its taxonomic status remains uncertain. [1]
Several species formerly placed in Ballus have been transferred to other genera. Ballus cinctipes and Ballus youngi have been moved to Attidops , Ballus decempunctatus to Porius , and Ballus planus to Rhene . [2]
As of 2025, the genus contains seven valid species: [2]
Several names previously associated with Ballus are now considered synonyms or have been transferred. Ballus sellatus Simon, 1900 is now considered a junior synonym of B. segmentatus. [2]
A number of names are considered nomina dubia due to insufficient original descriptions: B. lendli, B. obscuroides, B. sociabilis, and B. vulpinus. [2]
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