More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Spiders of Zihuatanejo
ORDER ARANEAE
Balmaceda Spiders
Balmaceda (Genus)
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Chelicerates Subphylum Chelicerata
-Typical Spiders (Suborder Araneomorphae)
-Entelegyne Spiders (Infraorder Entelegynae)
-Salticoid Spiders (Superfamily Salticoidea)
-Jumping Spiders (Family Salticidae)
-Typical Jumping Spiders (Subfamily Salticinae)
-Tribe Dendryphantini
-Subtribe Marpissina
-Genus Balmaceda
The Balmaceda genus belongs to the family Salticidae, commonly known as jumping spiders. These spiders are known for their exceptional vision and agile jumping ability, traits that they use for hunting and navigating their environment. Balmaceda spiders are active hunters that rely on their keen eyesight and agility to stalk and pounce on prey, rather than using webs. They prey on a variety of insects and small arthropods.
Description
• Balmaceda is a genus of spiders in the family Araneidae, within the orb-weaver group. Members are relatively small to medium-sized spiders with eight legs, a segmented body plan typical of spiders, and species-specific patterns of colouration and markings. As with many orb-weavers, their morphology and web-building behaviour are adapted to capturing small arthropods.
Range
• Balmaceda is a Neotropical spider genus recorded in parts of Central and South America. It is treated here as present in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico.
Habitat
• Members of this genus are associated with terrestrial habitats where vegetation and other structures provide suitable places for shelter and web construction. Potential habitats include forest vegetation, woodland edges and areas with shrubs or other plants that support insect activity.
Diet
• Balmaceda species are predators that feed on small arthropods, particularly insects. Prey capture and feeding behaviour are not well documented across the genus, but spiders in this group generally rely on silk and rapid movement to capture and consume suitable prey.