Zygometis is a genus of spider in the family Thomisidae described by Simon in 1901, containing the sole species Zygometis xanthogaster, or the milky flower spider or white flower spider, with a distribution from Thailand to Australia (including Lord Howe Island).[1] They are ambush predators.
| Zygometis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Thomisidae |
| Genus: | Zygometis Simon, 1901[1] |
| Species: | Z. xanthogaster
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| Binomial name | |
| Zygometis xanthogaster (L. Koch, 1875)[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editThey are cream-white in colour, with brownish-red lines on the cephalothorax and abdomen.[2] This coloration help them camouflage onto white flowers to ambush their prey.[2] Females are 6.5 mm, while males are 3 mm.[2]
Habitat
editIn Australia, they live from coastal forests to semi-arid areas.[3] It is recorded in altitudes up to 661.5m .[4]
Diet & ecology
editThey are "too small" to harm humans, and prey on insects by ambush.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Gen. Zygometis Simon, 1901". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
- ^ a b c d "Flower Spider (Zygometis lactea)". www.ozanimals.com. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- ^ "Zygometis xanthogaster (L. Koch, 1876) Milky Flower Spider". arachne.org.au. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- ^ "Zygometis xanthogaster sightings - Canberra Nature Map". canberra.naturemapr.org. Retrieved 2021-12-09.