Chrysilla acerosa
Chrysilla acerosa is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It was first described in 2012 from specimens collected in China.
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by Wang & Zhang in 2012 based on specimens from Chongqing and Sichuan provinces in China. In 2014, Ahmed and colleagues described Chrysilla assamensis from India, but this was later determined to be a junior synonym of C. acerosa by Caleb in 2016.Distribution
Chrysilla acerosa is found across parts of Asia, with confirmed records from India, China, and Vietnam. In China, it has been documented from Chongqing and Sichuan provinces, specifically from localities including Jinyun Mountain National Natural Reserve.Habitat
The species has been collected from natural forest reserves and university campuses at elevations ranging from 238 to 517 meters above sea level.Description
Chrysilla acerosa is a medium-sized jumping spider. Males measure 6.71–9.70 mm in total length, while females are somewhat smaller at around 7.16 mm.The male has a dark brown oval prosoma that is longer than wide, with iridescent setae on the head region. The chelicerae are elongate and brown. The legs are long and slender, yellowish brown in color, with the first femur showing a black anterolateral surface and metallic blue luster when alive. The opisthosoma is brown with distinctive white longitudinal markings along the midline and brick red markings on the sides.
Females are similar but somewhat smaller, with the opisthosoma being relatively stronger than in males and showing three white and two brick red markings when alive. The species can be distinguished from related species by specific genital features: males have a wider-than-long retrolateral tibial apophysis with a ventral tip and a much longer embolus, while females have anteriorly located copulatory openings and piriform spermathecae.