Genus Selenops

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Range · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Nursery web spider or wolf spider? South Florida - Selenops

Selenops insularis - Selenops submaculosus - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Araneae (Spiders)

Infraorder Araneomorphae (True Spiders)

No Taxon (Entelegynae)

Family Selenopidae (Flatties)

Genus Selenops

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

First described in 1819 by Pierre André Latreille

Explanation of Names

Selenops is from Greek selene (σεληνη)- "moon" + ops (ωψ)- "eye, face". Latreille translated it into French as "yeux en croissant" which means "eyes in a crescent"

Numbers

85 species in the New World. (1)

7 species in BugGuide's range (North America north of Mexico), but many species in Central America that can be possible imports.

Range

This genus is found throughout the tropics and subtropics worldwide and can be found in southern parts of the U.S. (1)

In Sarah Crews' 2011 paper, it is noted that there are quite a few unsorted specimens from all over the southwest (so it is best not to take the following ranges as concrete).

S. actophilus - throughout the southwest (collection localities include Arizona, California, & Texas)

S. aissus - collection localities include Alabama & the Florida Keys

S. debilis - throughout the southwest (collection localities include Arizona & New Mexico)

S. insularis - southern Florida (also once found in Washington DC on bananas)

S. nesophilus - throughout the southwest (collection localities include Arizona & California)

S. submaculosus - southern Florida

Additionally, S. mexicanus (=S. galapagoensis) has been found on imported produce several times throughout the U.S. and has one record from Broward Co., FL. (1)

Print References

(1)

Internet References

Nouveau dictionnaire d'histoire naturelle, 2d ed., v.30. p.579 Latreille's originals description of the genus (in French). The entry is under "Senelops", which is corrected in a footnote.

Works Cited

1.	A revision of the spider genus Selenops Latreille, 1819 (Arachnida, Araneae, Selenopidae) in North America, Central America..... Sarah Crews. 2011. ZooKeys 105 : Special issue: 1-182.

Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck on 30 March, 2006 - 7:46pm
Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott, Bbarnd, Chuck Entz, Mandy Howe
Last updated 7 November, 2011 - 12:54am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2023 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version