Which Oxyopes? => Oxyopes cf. heterophthalmus

[Raffaele Falato]

Gorgoglione, Province of Matera, Basilicata, Southern Italy.

Discovery date: December 15, morning, sunny.
Habitat: 950 m - on the esplanade of a church in the countryside. Presence of varied vegetation, small pine forest and oak forest.
Size: about 4mm.

Happy 2021 everyone.

First thread of the year.

This Oxyopes was a dark orange color, never before seen a similar specimen.
Is it a young heterophthalmus or something else?
Thanks.
Raf



oxy1.jpg (54.13 KB . 492x500 - angeschaut 81 Mal)

oxy2.jpg (52.04 KB . 501x498 - angeschaut 82 Mal)

oxy3.jpg (48.67 KB . 503x493 - angeschaut 83 Mal)

[Tobias Bauer]

Based on my impression, it seems to be the species suggested. The lineatus-group usually has three (four) stripes on the prosoma, and the pattern of ramosus should be more accentuated. However, this is a juvenile, so I it is speculative.

[Raffaele Falato]

Yes, Tobias, today I am even more convinced that it is heterophthalmus.
You have provided one of the discriminants with respect to lineatus / nigripalpis, I see another in the "face" of the adult spiders of this group, which is completely hairless, clear opaque and furrowed by two thin parallel (or almost) longitudinal lines.
And ramosus has ringed legs (but I don't know if this is also a characteristic of youngs).
There are no other species in Italy.
My spider has a hairy face with typical hetero colors and patterns and only slightly spotted legs, like hetero (see wiki).
But it is a juvenile; Tobias, can I get a cf. from you?

Raf

[Tobias Bauer]

Yes, but a big one.

[Raffaele Falato]

Thank you Tobias. 

Oxyopes CF. heterophthalmus,  then.

Greetings from South Italy.
Raf