Menemerus animatus

Menemerus animatus is a medium-sized spider with unique physical features. The spider's body is divided into two main parts: the cephalothorax, which is long and broad, and the abdomen, which is narrower and oval-shaped. Males of this species have a carapace, the hard upper part of the cephalothorax, measuring between 2.1 and 2.8 mm (0.08 and 0.11 in) in length and 1.5 and 2.1 mm (0.06 and 0.08 in) in width. The carapace is dark brown but has a distinctive triangular patch of white hairs, while the rest of it is covered with greyish-white hair, including the area around the eyes, which is darker. The spider's face, known as the clypeus, is adorned with short white hairs. The mouthparts, consisting of brown chelicerae and lighter brown labium and maxilae, contrast with the yellow sternum, the underside of the cephalothorax. The abdomen, ranging from 2.2 and 3.6 mm (0.09 and 0.14 in) in length and 1.4 and 1.9 mm (0.06 and 0.07 in) in width, is primarily light-colored with a narrow brown stripe down the middle. This area is covered in dense light hairs interspersed with brown bristles and small silver patches, and its underside has a yellowish hue. The spider's spinnerets and legs are yellow, with leg hairs and spines being brown. …

Menemerus spiders are found throughout Africa and Asia, and have been identified as far as Latin America. Menemerus animatus lives in an area that stretches across the Mediterranean Basin and into the Afrotropical realm. Initially, the spider was discovered in North Africa. The holotype was found in Lower Egypt. Other examples were identified in Giza in 1904 and Siwa Oasis in 1935. The spider was soon observed in other countries, extending the species distribution further. The species was discovered by Pickard-Cambridge in Israel based on a specimen found in 1833 and a further example was collected by George and Elizabeth Peckham in the Libyan desert. Other examples were discovered in southern Algeria. The first example seen in Europe was described by Simon in 1884 from specimens found in Greece. The spider was found near the Sobat River in Sudan in 1914. It was subsequently also identified at Wadi Halfa in 1962 and near Khartoum in 1967. The first example seen in Mali was discovered in Bandiagara in 1978 with others following from Goundam the following year. It was first found in Mauritania in Nouakchott in 1993. Examples have been discovered in Khulays, Saudi Arabia. It has also been seen to live in Iraq, Senegal, and Yemen. …

Due to their good eyesight, Menemerus spiders are mostly diurnal hunters. They attack using a complex approach to their prey and are generally more proactive in comparison to web-spinning spiders, attacking prey from a wide range of directions, including ambushing and stalking. The spiders will eat a wide range of prey, including nectar. They undertake complex displays and dances during courtship. The males also undertake aggressive displays between themselves, although actual injury is rare.