Wide-jawed House Spider
The genus Chalcotropis belongs to the subfamily Euophryinae characterised by the presence of a coiled embolus at the distal end of the male palp. It is closely related to Pristobaeus.
In this species, the male has unusually large and divergent chelicerae that may vary in length. The dorsal (anterior) surface of the chelicerae is divided by a distinct keel. There are two broad pale-colour bands on the carapace and a light-coloured crescent on the anterior dorsum.
The female is recognised by a broad median light-coloured dorsal band fringed by a pair of dark orangish stripes on the carapace. There is a similar median band on the abdomen, bracketed by a pair of reddish-brown stripes.
| Length | ♀ 6–7 mm; ♂ 9–10 mm |
| Distribution | Singapore, Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah), Brunei. |
| Habitat | House walls, foliage in gardens, parkland, and mangroves. |
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
Class Arachnida (Arachnids)
Order Araneae (Spiders)
Singapore, Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah), Brunei.