Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

Pardosa species groups?

There are about 70 spp. of Pardosa in our area, which Vogel 2004 splits into 14 species groups. In some cases, even with a specimen in hand, it's easy to get to the right species group, but difficult to ID to species without a lot of experience and/or reference specimens. Folks have already put the species group information on the genus info. page. How does everyone feel about splitting up the actual species pages into species groups, like we do for Habronattus and Phidippus, for example? This way some images can be placed into the right species group, even without knowing the species. I understand it's a pain to have the extra layer of taxonomy, but it's just one click to "view all"? Opinions on this one?

BTW, it wasn't totally clear to me if this gets posted here or in Taxonomy Proposals...

Related
I was just going to move some images into Dolomedes tonight and noticed that species groups were added there by someone. Any objections to removing those groups and putting all the species at a single level again?

 
I was hoping ...
he’d eventally see this thread and make an argument for keeping the groups or take it upon himself to make it go away, haha.

 
For the Pardosa ...
maybe a compromise would be to create holding bins for different groups so what can’t be placed to species can still be sorted.

Not in favor
I'm not a fan of the species groups in Salticidae either (or tribes, subgenera, etc.). I can never remember which group each species belongs to and I always have to dig around to find the proper location for placing a tagged image.

Additional layers create confusion for users that are not taxonomists. It is easier to make comparisons when you don't have to burrow up and down within the taxonomy. Besides, as you pointed out, that information can be readily placed on the information page.

My two cents...

 
I know I can ...
just click on "view all" but not everyone realizes that's there, and it's an extra step I don't need. I agree with Chad.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.