A comparative study of Old and New World Lyssomanines (Araneae, Salticidae): Utilisation of silk and predatory behaviour of Asemonea tenuipes and Lyssomanes viridis

A. tenuipes and L. viridis spin nests that serve as sites for resting, moulting, and ovipositing. Unlike typical salticid nests, the nests of A. tenuipes and L. viridis are large and sheet‐like, and by temporarily detaining prey, they assist the spider during predation. The cursorial predatory behaviour of A. tenuipes and L. viridis often lacks elements usually present during predatory sequences of typical salticids. Lunging at prey from close range is especially common, and the lyssomanines may ambush prey more often than most salticids. The Lyssomaninae is widely regarded as a primitive subfamily of salticids, and the results of this study are discussed with reference to an hypothesis concerning salticid evolution. The behavioural similarities between A. tenuipes and L. viridis are also discussed in relation to the taxonomic status of Old and New World lyssomanines.