ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Zelotes: Small to Medium-Sized Black Spiders

Zelotes, commonly referred to as black spiders, belong to the family Gnaphosidae, which is part of the order Araneomorphae. These small to medium-sized arachnids are usually dark in color, ranging from dark reddish-brown to almost black, and can be found worldwide.

Characteristics

Zelotes spiders have a compact body shape, with lengths varying between 1.8 to 12.6 millimeters depending on the species and sex. They possess a flat belly, which is typical of their family Gnaphosidae. The carapax, or back shield of the prosoma (forebody), appears oval when viewed from above and has a distinctive reticulated pattern with dark brown and black colors. However, some species may have lighter hues or longer, upright setae along the posterior edge.

The cephalic area is flattened, and the fovea runs in a longitudinal direction along the carapax. The eyes are divided into two superimposed rows, each containing four eyes, with the lower row appearing bent back when viewed from above but straight when viewed frontally. This unique eye arrangement allows Zelotes spiders to navigate effectively.

Behavior

As nocturnal hunters, Zelotes spiders capture other arthropods using their hunting prowess. They are also known as Eiferer in some regions and possess a species-rich genus that is almost worldwide distributed. Despite their small size, these black spiders play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance of their environments.

Notable Species

One notable exception to the typical dark coloration of Zelotes spiders is the dune black spider (Z. electus), which exhibits a brighter appearance compared to other species within its genus.