Runcinia grammica

Runcinia grammica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Division:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Family:	Thomisidae
Genus:	Runcinia
Species:	R. grammica
Binomial name
Runcinia grammica (C. L. Koch, 1837)

Runcinia grammica (Sometimes also referred to as Runcinia lateralis)^[1] is a species of spider of the genus Runcinia. It generally lives in peat bogs, fens, and meadows,^[2][3] although it has also been known to inhabit urban areas^[4] They usually mature to adulthood in the summer.^[3] They have short, broad bodies,^[5] which are covered in hair and spines.^[6] They have clear muscular corrugation on their sides,^[6] and, on small raised bumps on their heads, eight small eyes.^[5] Males are usually 2.5–3.5mm in length, females 4-6mm.^[3] Unlike many spiders, they do not spin a web of any kind. Instead, they prowl on the ground, as well as climbing plants and flowers, to find their prey.^[5] They can move forwards, backwards, and sideways.^[5] Runcina grammicas have reportedly been sighted in various areas of Southeastern Spain^[7] and Southwestern Portugal.^[8][9] They are also known to inhabit Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Caucasus,^[10] Italy,^[11] India,^[6] South Africa, St. Helena,^{[12][13][14][13]} Turkey,^[13][14] France,^[15] and in the Carpathian Basin.^[16] They are among the most common species of spiders in Portugal.^[14] They are one of the many species preserved at the Mountain Zebra National Park, in South Africa.^[17]

A Runcinia grammica with its prey

They are predators,^[4] and eat various species of insects.^[3]

References