Malthonica is a genus of araneomorph spiders belonging to the family Agelenidae, commonly referred to as funnel‑web spiders. The genus was first described by the French arachnologist Eugène Simon in 1884. Species placed in Malthonica are primarily distributed in the Mediterranean region of Europe and parts of the Near East.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Infraorder: Araneomorphae
- Family: Agelenidae
- Genus: Malthonica Simon, 1884
Diagnostic characteristics
Members of Malthonica exhibit the typical morphology of agelenid spiders:
- A relatively elongate body with a distinct cephalothorax and abdomen.
- Eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows.
- Long, posteriorly directed spinnerets.
- Legs adapted for rapid movement on a sheet‑like web that terminates in a funnel-shaped retreat.
The genus is distinguished from other agelenids by subtle differences in the genitalia of both sexes, especially the structure of the male palpal organ and the female epigyne, which are used in species identification.
Distribution and habitat
Malthonica species are found in temperate and Mediterranean habitats, including:
- Forested slopes and scrubland.
- Under stones, leaf litter, and within crevices.
- Human‑made structures such as walls and garden outbuildings.
Their webs are typically constructed close to the ground, forming a horizontal sheet that leads to a concealed funnel where the spider waits for prey.
Recognized species
According to the World Spider Catalog (2023), the following species are currently accepted within the genus Malthonica:
| Species | Authority | Known distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Malthonica daedali | Brignoli, 1978 | Italy, Sicily |
| Malthonica ferruginea | Simon, 1884 | France, Spain, Italy |
| Malthonica lampra | Bosmans, 1995 | Greece, Turkey |
| Malthonica nevadensis | Bosmans, 1995 | Spain (Sierra Nevada) |
| Malthonica silenes | Simon, 1884 | Italy, Corsica |
| Malthonica torquata | Simon, 1884 | Italy, Sardinia |
| Malthonica vulcanica | Bosmans, 1995 | Crete |
(Only a selection of species is shown; the full list may be consulted in the latest version of the World Spider Catalog.)
Taxonomic notes
- Several species formerly assigned to Malthonica have been transferred to the closely related genus Allagelena following molecular phylogenetic studies conducted in the early 2000s.
- The genus remains subject to ongoing revision, and future research may alter its species composition.
References
- Simon, E. (1884). Les Arachnides de France. Paris: Librairie Encyclopédique de Savy.
- World Spider Catalog (2023). “Gen. Malthonica Simon, 1884.” Natural History Museum Bern. https://wsc.nmbe.ch/genus/31
- Bosmans, R. (1995). “Revision of the genus Malthonica (Araneae, Agelenidae).” Bulletin of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences 65: 99‑124.
