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
Long-jawed Jumping Spiders
Hentzia (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 Dendryphantina)
-Long-jawed Jumping Spiders (Genus Hentzia)
These spiders are relatively small but appear elongated compared to many other jumping spiders. They have a narrow body, long legs, and noticeably elongated chelicerae (jaws)—particularly in males, where the jaws may project forward and are sometimes used in courtship displays. Rather than building capture webs, Hentzia species are active visual hunters. They stalk prey carefully and then leap with precision, anchoring themselves with a silk dragline as a safety tether.
Description
• Hentzia is a genus of small jumping spiders in the family Salticidae, subfamily Dendryphantinae. Adults typically measure about 4–6 mm in body length and have elongated bodies relative to their width. Males often have more contrasting colours and markings, while females are generally more subdued in appearance. These spiders have prominent forward-facing eyes and excellent vision, which they use to locate prey and navigate vegetation.
Range
• Hentzia occurs mainly in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of northern South America. The greatest diversity is found in the Caribbean, particularly Cuba, although some species occur along the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• Members of Hentzia inhabit woodlands, forest edges, scrub, and other areas with suitable vegetation. They commonly move among leaves, twigs, branches, and shrubs in the understory, where they hunt and seek shelter. They are active hunters rather than web-building predators.
Diet
• Hentzia spiders feed on small insects and other arthropods. They use their keen eyesight to stalk prey before leaping onto it and subduing it with their fangs. Their small size allows them to hunt tiny insects among leaves and stems.