They resemble both jumping spiders and the spiders in the Palpimanidae, as their body shapes are similar and their body is velvety. Males of this genus have a red abdomen with black spotting, usually sporting 4 black spots. The rest of the body is usually black, with some reddish or white areas. Females of this genus usually have dull colors, in grey, brown or black tones. For most individuals, the full body length reaches 8.5 to 20mm, with a distinct prosomal length of 3.6 to 6.1mm. In some species, the females have some yellow coloration, though they are still significantly duller than the males.[5]
Identification
Males of this genus can usually be distinguished by their unique abdominal pattern. Which in the lateral areas has two pairs of black patches which is surrounded by some reddish coloration. Sometimes they also have an extra pair. Females are harder to distinguish, with a species specific dedicated identification section being needed.[5]
Distribution
They are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, usually in non-forested warm and dry habitats. Their life[6] cycle is completed in 3–4 years, after they undergo dispersion and reach a juvenile state and turn into predators. Some species build a vertical burrow which is lined with silk, the opening being camouflaged with a silken sheet of debris. While some species don't build a burrow and just make their tubes under stones.[5]
Species
As of March2025[update] it contains twenty-three species and five subspecies:[1]
1 2 Řezáč, M.; Pekár, S.; Johannesen, J. (2008). "Taxonomic review and phylogenetic analysis of central European Eresus species (Araneae: Eresidae)". Zoologica Scripta. 37 (3): 263–287. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2008.00328.x. S2CID85578392.
↑ Walckenaer, C. A. (1805). Tableau des aranéides ou caractères essentiels des tribus, genres, familles et races que renferme le genre Aranea de Linné, avec la désignation des espèces comprises dans chacune de ces divisions.
↑ Al-Yacoub, Ghassan A. Ali; Al-Budeiri, Ahmed S. Mohammed; Zamani, Alireza (2025). "A new species of Eresus Walckenaer, 1805 (Araneae: Eresidae) from Iraq". Arachnology. 20 (1): 31–33. doi:10.13156/arac.2024.20.1.31.
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