small spider - Walckenaeria

Looking for third specimen

Hi Tom,

After a brief look at the epigyne, I agree that this appears to be Walckenaeria species, but I've not yet found a matching drawing.

In the same vial was an immature Xysticus specimen and also another small spider, which is not listed on the enclosed slip of paper. This mystery spider, approx. 2.8 mm long and female, has a rounded, ovoid dark dark-grey abdomen covered (approx. 3/4) by a shiny brown dorsal scutum. The first two pairs of legs (particularly the first pair) have thickened femora; there are five pairs of ventral spines on tibia I and four pairs on metatarsus I. Posterior eyes are large, more or less equal in size and spacing; very slightly procurved.

This was in the vial with the two other specimens marked "Groton, MA" and dated 28 June 09. Does it sound familiar? The specimen appears to be a member of the genus Scotinella, in the Corinnidae (thus closely related to Phrurolithus and Phrurotimpus), but I've not yet matched up the large epigyne to any drawings I've found.

-Kevin

… Kevin Pfeiffer, 29 December, 2009 - 8:18am

Mystery spider found!

Kevin, I just posted the other spider picture. It's not the best, since it was dead, and had a glob of liquid on her head.

… tom murray, 30 December, 2009 - 4:19pm

Just a quick note that I think you confused this specimen with the mystery one (which does indeed live in ant colonies). See my notes on your mystery spider.

-Kevin

… Kevin Pfeiffer, 30 December, 2009 - 6:10pm

Moved

Moved from Dwarf Spiders. Well, if this is what one looks like I don't see the problem in placing it there for now. The image clearly shows the ID is not 100% sure, but then how many IDs in the spider section are?

… Lynette Schimming, 28 August, 2009 - 8:53am

From Rod Crawford:

"..can't be sure but could be a Walckenaeria sp."

… Lynette Schimming, 27 August, 2009 - 11:30pm

Walckenaeria sp.

Lynette, it would be a new genus for the guide. Do you think we should move it?

… tom murray, 28 August, 2009 - 8:12am

Any side views?

That might help.

… John Sloan, 28 August, 2009 - 10:31am

Just dorsal shots

I didn't think to take a lateral shot.

… tom murray, 28 August, 2009 - 5:08pm

Moved

Moved from Spiders.

… Lynette Schimming, 12 August, 2009 - 11:14pm