The Habronattus viridipes Species Group
The H. viridipes group includes four species in California plus Baja, three of which are endemic to the region. The group actually contains two major subgroups, which may or may not be closely-related. Within the "clypeatus subgroup" are three close relatives, including H. formosus, H. californicus, and H. divaricatus. All three species are similar in sharing a white-striped "forehead", a clypeal (area beneath main eyes) covering with alternating black & white bands, special scales on the first legs, and modified third legs. The sole representative of the "viridipes subgroup" is H. jucundus, which shares a modified third leg with the clypeatus subgroup, but is otherwise very different.

H. formosus - Bishop,
Inyo Co., CA
H. formosus - Third Leg Ornament
H. formosus - Griswold cites the distribution of H. formosus as the Colorado and southern Mojave deserts, with northern records from the San Joaquin Valley. The species crosses into Arizona at eastern edge of its distribution, contacting H. clypeatus. Ground-dweller in microhabitats with grass or litter covering.

H. californicus - Oceanside,
San Diego Co., CA
H.californicus - Third
Leg Ornament
H. californicus - Another regional endemic, H. californicus is widespread in California. Griswold cites the distribution as central and southern CA; MCH has collected populations conforming to H. californicus in northern Baja (see below). The flag-like third patella is characteristic. A ground-dweller in microhabitats with grass or litter covering.

H. divaricatus - Sierra de La Laguna, BCS
H. divaricatus - El Socorrito, BCN
H. divaricatus - A Baja endemic, with a curious disjunct distribution. Populations are found in both northern Baja, on the western edge of the Peninsular ranges, and in Cape mountains at the tip of Baja. MCH has searched appropriate habitats in the mountains of central Baja, finding only other Habronattus. As noted by Griswold, northern populations of H. divaricatus may, in fact, belong with H. californicus. There is considerable variation in the structure of the third patella both within and between populations which needs to be quantified.
H. divaricatus - San Matias,
BCN Third Leg
H. divaricatus - El Socorrito Third Leg
H. divaricatus - La Laguna Third Leg

H. jucundus - Mt. Ashland, OR
H. jucundus - This species belongs in the "viridipes subgroup" of the H. clypeatus group, lacking the forehead and clypeal bands of the species above. The third leg, although modified, is also very different from the species above. H. jucundus barely crosses into California along the northern border - Griswold cites records from both Siskiyou and Trinity counties, which should look very similar to the individual above from southern Oregon. The species can be found on small rocks and sticks in high-elevation forest habitats.