{{Short description|Species of jumping spider}} {{Speciesbox | name = | image = Salticus mutabilis 359102769.jpg | image_caption = from France | image2 = | image2_caption = | taxon = Salticus mutabilis | authority = Lucas, 1846 | synonyms = {{Specieslist |Callietherus zebraneus|Simon, 1868 |Callitherus tenerus|Simon, 1868 |Marpissa civilis|Holmberg, 1876 }} }}
'''''Salticus mutabilis''''' is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It has a wide distribution across Macaronesia, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, and the Caucasus, and has been introduced to Argentina.<ref name="wsc" />
==Distribution== ''S. mutabilis'' is widely distributed across the Mediterranean region and Europe, extending from the Macaronesian islands in the west to the Caucasus in the east.<ref name="wsc" /> The species is found throughout much of Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, and Sicily, where historical records show it replacing the closely related ''Salticus scenicus''.<ref name="simon1868" /> It also occurs in North Africa and Turkey. The species has been introduced to Argentina, where it was first recorded in the 19th century.<ref name="wsc" />
==Description== ''Salticus mutabilis'' shows considerable sexual dimorphism and variation in coloration patterns.<ref name="simon1868" />
===Male=== Males measure 4-4.75 mm in body length. The cephalothorax (front body section) is black with white borders and three white spots. The abdomen is white with a dark median band bordered by black on each side. The legs are yellow with dark rings, and the chelicerae (mouthparts) are two-toothed.<ref name="simon1868" />
The male's cephalothorax is shorter and narrower than in the related ''Salticus scenicus'', with a squarely cut front edge. The anterior eyes form a more pronounced projection when viewed from above. The cephalothorax is black, bordered posteriorly with a bright white line and decorated with three white spots - one on the front border and two in the middle of the thorax, which are elongated and parallel.<ref name="simon1868" />
===Female=== Females are larger than males, measuring up to 6 mm in body length. The female's cephalothorax is often covered with tawny down that conceals the border and two central spots.<ref name="simon1868" />
The female's abdomen shows considerable variation and can appear in several forms. In one variety, the median band is interrupted at the second constriction and is completely bordered by a black line forming a figure-8 pattern with a greyish center. In another form, the median band is narrow and bright yellow, terminating in a point at the front and bordered by a black line resembling an accent mark or spear point. A third variety shows the abdomen entirely white with a very pale tawny median band effaced at the constricted areas, appearing to be replaced by three spots - the first being an arc and the other two being somewhat darkened triangles at their angles.<ref name="simon1868" />
==Habitat== The species is commonly found in various European habitats and has been observed to live in a similar manner to ''Salticus scenicus'' in areas where both species occur.<ref name="simon1868" />
==Taxonomy== ''Salticus mutabilis'' was first described by Lucas in 1846. The species has a complex taxonomic history with several synonyms, including ''Callietherus zebraneus'' and ''Callitherus tenerus'', both described by Simon in 1868, and ''Marpissa civilis'' described by Holmberg in 1876.<ref name="wsc" />
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="wsc">{{cite web | url=https://wsc.nmbe.ch/species/32500 | title=Salticus mutabilis Lucas, 1846 | publisher=World Spider Catalog | accessdate=2 September 2025}}</ref> <ref name="simon1868">{{cite journal | last=Simon | first=E. | year=1868 | title=Monographie des espèces européennes de la famille des Attides (Attidae Sundewall. - Saltigradae Latreille) | journal=Annales de la Société Entomologique de France | series=4 | volume=8 | pages=11-72, 529-726}}</ref> }}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2492479}}
Category:Salticidae Category:Spiders of Europe Category:Spiders of Asia Category:Spiders described in 1846