Rugathodes bellicosus is a small theridiid spider that occurs in Europe, including Russia. It is usually found on high ground, but also occurs on coasts. They live under large stones.

Rugathodes bellicosus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Rugathodes
Species:
R. bellicosus
Binomial name
Rugathodes bellicosus
(Simon, 1873)
Synonyms

Theridion bellicosum
Theridion instabile bellicosum
Enoplognatha bellicosa
Enoplognatha bellicosum
Rugathodes bellicosum

In Czechoslovakia, spiders at low altitude are only found in small caves. These specimens are not very pigmented. Other specimens that live in higher elevations live more in the open and are generally darker in color. The variation seems to be genetic rather than environmentally induced.[1]

Name edit

The species name is derived from Latin bellicosus "bellicose".

References edit

  1. ^ Ružička, V. (1988). Problems of Bathyphantes eumenis and its occurrence in Czechoslovakia (Araneae, Linyphiidae). Věstn. Česk. Spol. Zool. 52:149-155.