Eyes--detail - Badumna longinqua

Moved

I'd say we are all in agreement with this new image. Nice follow-up.

… Lynette Elliott, 14 October, 2009 - 9:22am

Eyes

In that same book I was citing earlier (1), there is an eye pattern diagram but only for Paratheuma. Their anterior and posterior lateral eyes are incredibly close together making them appear 'connnected'. I would assume that the ALE and PLE are about the same in Badumna too (very close). Looking at this new photo, I think I'm seeing that the AME really are larger in this photo!? And the PME are much smaller and 'tucked behind' those larger Anterior Median Eyes? Do you guys sort of see what I'm talking about? Or maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me. I should probably go get some sleep. :)

… Mandy Howe, 14 October, 2009 - 1:47am

Yes, I see

If what looks like a large eye is really two small eyes joined up, then the median eye is larger than either half of that pair. I'll go with Badumna on the basis of eyes and habitat. This is definitely not an intertidal zone.

But where was its web?

… R. Berg, 14 October, 2009 - 10:04am

Mystery

Maybe it was in the process of building a new web or something? I think I sort of see a few strands of silk in the photos. I guess those could easily be something else's web though. I wish my book had more info on this genus' lifestyle and such. I don't know what season they mate or if they ever wander for food. If we knew any of that, it would help with the web mystery.

I'm glad you contributed these photos. I had fun researching!

… Mandy Howe, 14 October, 2009 - 6:08pm

More closeups

Four photos added today. [EDIT: I deleted some of these photos on November 30.]

This spider doesn't seem to build webs where I find her. Today she was under the same leaf a few hours apart without having made a web. Possibly they're nocturnal? Or missing the last joint of a front leg interferes with web construction?

My first three photos show a solid white horizontal patch near the spider. An older photo of a Long Beach specimen had a similar patch. These look to be made of silk. I don't know their function.

… R. Berg, 14 October, 2009 - 6:58pm