Metellina

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Metellina
M. mengei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Suborder: Araneomorphae Family: Tetragnathidae Genus: Metellina Chamberlin & Ivie, 1941
Diversity
7 species
Type species
Pachygnatha curtisi McCook, 1894
Species
See text.

Metellina is a genus of tetragnathid spiders that occurs mostly in Eurasia, with two species found in North America. M. segmentata was introduced to Canada.

Some researchers consider this genus to belong to a distinct family, the Metidae.

M. segmentata is probably the most abundant orb-weaving spider of Germany.^[1]

[edit] Name

The genus name is an alteration of the related genus Meta.

[edit] Species

• Metellina curtisi (McCook, 1894) (North America)
• Metellina kirgisica (Bakhvalov, 1974) (Central Asia)
• Metellina mengei (Blackwall, 1870) (Europe to Georgia)
• Metellina merianae (Scopoli, 1763) (Europe to Georgia)
  • Metellina merianae celata (Blackwall, 1841) (Europe)
• Metellina mimetoides Chamberlin & Ivie, 1941 (North America)
• Metellina orientalis (Spassky, 1932) (Central Asia)
• Metellina segmentata (Clerck, 1757) (Palearctic (Canada, introduced))

[edit] References

1. ^ Bellmann, H. (1997). Kosmos-Atlas Spinnentiere Europas. Kosmos.