Abracadabrella facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abracadabrella |
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| Abracadabrella elegans (Elegant Fly Mimic) which is found on the eastern Australian coast from Cape York to around Sydney | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Genus: | Abracadabrella |
| Type species | |
| Marptusa elegans L. Koch, 1879
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| Species | |
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See text |
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| Diversity | |
| 3 species | |
Abracadabrella is a fascinating group of spiders. They belong to the jumping spider family, also known as Salticidae. These tiny spiders are special because they look a lot like flies. This helps them trick other animals.
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Meet the Abracadabrella Spiders
These spiders are quite unique. They are small to medium in size. They also have a rather flat body. One of their most amazing features is their "eyes." They have large, shiny black spots on the back of their body (abdomen). These spots look just like the big eyes of a fly! This clever trick helps them blend in.
Clever Mimicry
The way these spiders look like flies is called mimicry. It helps them in a few ways. For example, birds or other predators might think they are just a common fly. This makes the spiders less likely to be eaten. They have even been seen walking backwards. This makes their fly disguise even better!
Where They Live
You can often find Abracadabrella spiders in Australia. They prefer warmer areas, especially in Queensland. They live on plants and under the bark of gum trees. Some have been spotted in Darwin, Townsville, Wooloolga, Gosford, and Grafton. There are also records from Birdsville in western Queensland. Another species lives in Lewiston, South Australia.
What They Look Like
Abracadabrella spiders have strong front legs. Their fourth pair of legs is the longest. They are often found on or under the bark of Eucalyptus trees. Sometimes, they are seen on other types of plants too.
What's in a Name?
The name Abracadabrella sounds a bit like the magic word "Abracadabra". However, the scientist who named them said it was just a random combination of letters. The name is considered feminine.
Species of Abracadabrella
There are three known species in the Abracadabrella group:
- Abracadabrella birdsville – Found in Queensland
- Abracadabrella elegans – Found in Queensland
- Abracadabrella lewiston – Found in South Australia
