Leg puzzle 2 - Mecaphesa

Moved

… john and jane balaban, 25 February, 2012 - 4:05pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

My research consisted entirely of finally noticing this spider after staring at its flower for a few minutes. Nothing planned.

It was within 200 meters of

… John F. Carr, 9 September, 2010 - 7:20am

correct guess

Ooo, does that mean the spider newbie wins? LOL.

… Sara Rall , 9 September, 2010 - 8:00am

Thomisidae

or should I stay in Araneidae?

… John R. Maxwell, 8 September, 2010 - 8:49pm

Thomisidae

I'd guess. I'm not very good at ID's from legs. This would be a great game in the slow months... created from keys & photos.

… Lynette Elliott, 8 September, 2010 - 10:25pm

Mecaphesa

adding psychology to entomology, let's take a wild guess and say Mecaphesa, as you have an unsorted image:

that might have driven you to research them a bit more.

… Sara Rall , 8 September, 2010 - 11:01pm

mimetidae

according to Golden Guide to Spiders and their Kin "recognized by the row of strong curved setae on the front margins of the lower segments of the first pair of legs." (yes, I am so much of a nerd I have actually been reading it cover to cover at breakfast this past week).

But I have zero experience in entomology so could be completely wrong.

… Sara Rall , 8 September, 2010 - 7:31pm

Not Mimetidae

I don't think this matches the illustration in Ubick(1). It is not in family Mimetidae.

Compare the leg of

with the distinct row of closely spaced short hairs with every sixth or so much longer.

… John F. Carr, 8 September, 2010 - 7:47pm

Neoscona

… John R. Maxwell, 8 September, 2010 - 6:57pm

....

I agree. At first I thought maybe a lynx but that's not it. Then I thought maybe an assassin but that's not it either. Then I thought maybe a robber fly. But, in the end, I can't think of anything else it could be.

My vote is for Neoscona crucifera.

… Sam Houston, 8 September, 2010 - 7:27pm

Not Neoscona

I don't know if it is actually possible to ID this from a joint but I thought I should make it harder than last time. I wouldn't be surprised if one of those hairs is an essential part of running the specimen through a key.

… John F. Carr, 8 September, 2010 - 7:16pm