Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Spider#2 to ID.

Posted by Roger Thomason on 08-11-2009 02:11
#1

Found this spider next to a burn (stream to you folks) at Graven in Shetland. Couldn't get a dorsal view as it would have meant going in the water, which was flowing too fast.
ID'able from ventral view ?

Edited by Roger Thomason on 08-11-2009 09:51

Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-11-2009 01:35
#2

Hi, Roger!

Should be Tetragnatha sp. (from the two stripes on the abdomen and the orb web with a "hole" in the middle).

Posted by Roger Thomason on 10-11-2009 21:30
#3

Thank you Juergen,
I will have to go out (with suitable boots) and photograph a dorsal view, to possibly get to species lavel. Looking through photo's on the German Site and T.extensa which is on my list looks like a likely suspect. The other ones on my Checklist are Pachygnatha clercki and P.degeeri.

Regards Roger

Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-11-2009 23:31
#4

Hi. Roger!

Roger Thomason wrote:
I will have to go out (with suitable boots) and photograph a dorsal view, to possibly get to species lavel. Looking through photo's on the German Site and T.extensa which is on my list looks like a likely suspect.


Yes, it looks mostly like T. extensa, which is always found near water. The must abundant species, T. montana, can occur nearly everywhere (and it does..., there are hundreds of them in our garden, at our house and even in the house etc. now). It can strictly only be separated from T. extensa by examination of the male palps or female epigyne, but with a little bit of experience I find it relatively easy to identify by "jizz". Your's does look more like T. extensa, and the habitat is typical.

The other ones on my Checklist are Pachygnatha clercki and P.degeeri.


Those smaller species don't have such a narrow opisthosoma (not to say, they look totally different...). But most important: they don't build orb webs...

Posted by Roger Thomason on 11-11-2009 02:20
#5

Thanks Juergen...
proverbial font of knowledge as always :)
I think it is T.extensa but will get a dorsal shot and some close-ups just make sure.

Roger