Cheiracanthium torsivum

Cheiracanthium torsivum, commonly known in Mandarin Chinese as "旋距紅螯蛛" or Twisted spur red chelate spider, is a species of yellow sac spider endemic to Taiwan.

Description

C. torsivum have a yellowish-brown carapace and yellow abdomen. Their abdomen has a pale grayish brown cardiac pattern. They are distinguished from similar species by the shape of the male's pedipalps; the palpal bulb sports a spiniform apophysis and distally-intorted cymbial spur. Females are distinguished from those of other species by dark, globular markings that can be seen through the tegument of the epigynum.

Distribution

C. torsivum is found in northern and southeastern Taiwan at elevations between 500m and 1800m.

Etymology

"Torsivum," from the species name Cheiracanthium torsivum, means "spiral-twisted" and refers to the spiriform cymbial spur on the male's pedipalp.