The species name frontalis is derived from the Latin word frons, meaning "forehead" or "front", referring to distinctive markings on the frontal region of the spider's cephalothorax.
Euophrys frontalis inhabits various environments including deciduous and coniferous forests, forest edges, gardens, and parks.[2] The species is often found on low vegetation, bushes, and tree trunks, where it actively hunts for prey.[4]
The female E. frontalis has a total body length of 3.4-4.4 mm. The cephalothorax is brownish with darker sides and a distinctive pattern. The opisthosoma is yellowish-brown to dark brown with pale markings. The front part displays a characteristic light-colored cardiac mark extending backwards, with dark lateral stripes. The epigyne shows a distinctive structure with rounded openings.[2][5]
Males are slightly smaller at 3.4-4.3 mm total length. The male cephalothorax is generally darker than in females, often appearing almost black with metallic reflections, particularly around the eye region. The front legs (leg I) are noticeably thickened and darkened, a typical characteristic of male jumping spiders used in courtship displays. The palpal bulb is relatively simple in structure compared to related species.[2]
Behavior
Like other jumping spiders, E. frontalis is an active visual hunter that relies on its excellent eyesight to locate and stalk prey. Males perform elaborate courtship displays using their enlarged front legs and body movements to attract females.[6]
Taxonomy
Euophrys frontalis was originally described as Aranea frontalis by Charles Athanase Walckenaer in 1802.[1] The species has had a complex taxonomic history with several synonyms, including Euophrys maculata, which was recognized as a separate species for many years before being synonymized with E. frontalis.[7] The species serves as the type species for the genus Euophrys.[1]
1 2 3 4 Metzner, H. (1999). "Die Springspinnen (Araneae, Salticidae) Griechenlands". Andrias. 14: 1–279.
↑ Almquist, S. (2007). "Swedish Araneae, part 2 – families Dictynidae to Salticidae". Insect Systematics & Evolution, Supplement. 63: 285–601.
1 2 Roberts, M.J. (1995). Collins Field Guide: Spiders of Britain & Northern Europe. London: HarperCollins. p.383.
↑ Logunov, D.V. (1997). "Salticidae of Middle Asia. 4. A review of the genus Euophrys (s. str.) C. L. Koch (Araneae, Salticidae)". Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society. 10 (9): 344–352.
↑ Prószyński, J.; Lissner, J.; Schäfer, M. (2018). "Taxonomic survey of the genera Euophrys, Pseudeuophrys and Talavera, with description of Euochin gen. n. (Araneae: Salticidae) and with proposals of a new research protocol". Ecologica Montenegrina. 18: 26–74. doi:10.37828/em.2018.18.4.
↑ Prószyński, J. (1979). "Systematic studies on East Palearctic Salticidae III. Remarks on Salticidae of the USSR". Annales Zoologici, Warszawa. 34: 299–369.
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