Rhene flavicomans
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wasp-mimic jumping spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| male from India | |
 | |
| female from Hong Kong | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Genus: | Rhene |
| Species: | R. flavicomans |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhene flavicomans | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Rhene flavicomans, known as the wasp-mimic jumping spider,[2] is a species of spider in the genus Rhene. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.[1]
Rhene flavicomans was first described by Eugène Simon in 1902 based on a male specimen.[3] The species was later redescribed by Prószyński in 1984, who provided detailed diagnostic drawings and first described the female.[4]
In 1991, Song and Chai described Rhene biembolusa from Hainan, China.[5] This species was later synonymized with R. flavicomans by Caleb et al. in 2022, who demonstrated that R. biembolusa represented the same taxon.[6]
Description
Rhene flavicomans exhibits sexual dimorphism typical of jumping spiders. Males measure 4.76–5.90 mm in body length, while females are slightly smaller at 3.40–5.00 mm.[7]
The cephalothorax is described as dark brown with a glossy appearance, covered with yellowish setae. The eye arrangement follows the typical salticid pattern, with the anterior median eyes being the largest. The abdomen is oval-shaped with distinctive coloration patterns that vary between sexes.[7]
The male of the species shows adaptations has a wasp-mimicking pattern, which may provide Batesian mimicry protection from predators.
Distribution
R. flavicomans has a broad distribution across South and Southeast Asia. The species has been recorded from Bhutan, China (including Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Yunnan provinces), India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1] This wide distribution suggests the species is well-adapted to various tropical and subtropical habitats across the region.