Spider identification please!

[danielle999]

I have a spider currently running around a glass in front of me which i just caught in my front room (dont worry i'll let it go!) but i cant find it on the internet.
Its got an ant-like body, about 5mm long (not including legs), abdomen looks shiny black, but kinda irridescent purple when the light is on it. It also has a very thin white stripe going right around its abdomen, about 1mm from where it joins its thorax. The thorax looks brown.The legs are brown, but the front two legs have thick black "thighs" Im no entomologist!
he (or she) is too small and too quick for me to get a photo!!
I would greatly appreciate an expert to ID this little rascal for me before i let it go. Thanks!

[Imaginaryduck]

*thinks* If it's small and quick, could it possibly be a jumping/zebra spider?
House Spiders

[Geoff F]

Firstly, you may have better results in obtaining an ID if you ask this in the spider forum, where the real experts lurk.

Secondly what is the location? Some of my first thoughts are a bit uncommon and generally found in the south.

And thirdly, which way does the while line run? ie horizontally or vertically when viewed from the side.

Now for some strictly amateur suggestions. Have you checked the Steatoda species? Probably not but they may need to be discounted just to be sure. The white lines are more horizontal in these spiders; while the following suggestions are more vertical.

Salticidae family are possible, as the previous answer suggests, and some of the Myrmarachne species are very ant like but uncommon, more of an outdoors spider, and only found in the south.

Gnaphosidae family are possible particularly the Micaria family but note the previous warning. Although I think M. pulicaria is more widely distributed and it's body can have an iridescence in certain light.

[vipes]

Does it jump?

[danielle999]

The spider didnt jump, thats what i thought it was but im quite familiar with the jumping/zebra spiders. The line runs vertically if looked at from the side, but it is very thin and only noticeable on close inspection.
I live in Hertfordshire if that helps.
I found this spider in my front room, but quite possibly got in through an open door, or by the cat?

[Geoff F]

In that case I would start with Micaria pulicaria but also have a look at M. romana which possibly matches your description exactly, although it is normally uncommon and only found on the south coast. But if this looks possible it may be worth checking for any previous recordings in your area.

That purplish black iridescence and ant like apperance does sound hopeful. M. subopaca and M. silesiaca are also possible, and although uncommon, could be found your area; and M. silesiaca, according to my book, only has a faint white line.

But, as I said previously, I suspect this is one for the real experts.

ps. This site might be worth a look http://www.spiderling.de/arages/Foto...alerie_eng.htm make sure you select the English version (unless you are fluent in German) then scroll down the left hand pane until you find Micaria; or any of the other suggestions.

[danielle999]

thanks Geoff, that was very useful. Looks like an M silesiaca to me!

[Geoff F]

Unfortunately the only way to be certain is to kill the spider and examine the genitalia under a microscope.

My book says, found in dry sandy areas or heathland in a few areas of S and SE England so unless you are in a city centre it is just possible that this may be a correct ID.

But I would add the word 'possible' to the identification.

[danielle999]

well thats what it most closely resembled in photos, but i let him go that day. Would it be possible it hitched a ride with me coming back from Dorset a couple of weeks ago??
I couldnt kill a spider, I'm actually quite frightened of them, funnily enough dead ones are more frightening?! (University did that to me, disecting spiders uurrrgghhhhh)