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Photo#508297
Mecaphesa sp.? - Mecaphesa carletonica

Mecaphesa sp.? - Mecaphesa carletonica
Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
April 22, 2011
Size: 4.7mm
I found this spider on the front bumper of my car in the driveway.

Images of this individual: tag all
Mecaphesa sp.? - Mecaphesa carletonica Mecaphesa sp.? - Mecaphesa carletonica Mecaphesa sp.? - Mecaphesa carletonica - female

Me thinks asperata
I think this is probably Mecaphesa asperata. The epigynum drawings of carletonica and asperata are similar, but the color pattern is definitely one known for asperata. Do we have a reliable carletonica picture anywhere? I do plan on getting some.

 
..
Hi Joe,

The drawings are similar but certainly not identical. And did you look at the comparison photograph above? BOLD has barcoded specimens; for some reason the M. carletonica specimens were not available online, but I will send them to you.

I don't think that you can rely on color markings as primary distinguishing characteristic.

 
..
That would be great. I tried to look at the specimens in BOLD but also couldn't pull them up. However, I would like to see who made the determinations on the specimens. Basically I want Dondale and Redner specimens, though. This genus requires too much magic.

Moved
Not part of the Texas group, but det. by me. See also:



-K

Moved

More specimens?
Hi Tom,

I'm feeling more confidant about this one, now, but wouldn't mind seeing a few more specimens (including a male) should you come across them again.

Best,

-K

 
More specimens
I'll see if I can find others this spring.

Moved

 
..
My mind is still not entirely made up. I've got one other female from Kentucky that was part of a m/f pair, which I identified as M. asperata:



I'll dissect the epigynum tomorrow so that I can more closely compare them.

..
Whew, making identifications in genera like this is a bit like calling pitches in or out. For my money (and the location fits well), this is M. carletonica.

kmp-10055

More images here:

-K

(But, boy, when I look at the M. asperata specimens at BOLD, I wonder. Unfortunately their M. carletonica specimens are not visible. -K)

Moved
Moved from Mecaphesa.
Kevin, I have it saved for you, so if you see anything different with the specimen we can move the pictures then.

..
Presumably asperatus. I can't quite reconcile the pale scape-like septum that appears in your third image, but that may just be due to the nature of the image and resolution.

Would be nice to get a closer look at this, just for the sake of confirmation.

 
..
That was a loose setae or something. Perhaps this is M. carletonica? I'll dissect the epigynum today and maybe we can come up with an answer. Cross your fingers.

Moved
Moved from Crab Spiders.
Thanks for the confirmation J&J.

Yes, Mecaphesa
good call

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