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Old 03-01-2008, 02:37 AM
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Venger Venger is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Nottingham
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Re: Spider i.d. please

While the sternum is good at aiding an ID (at least for some species , like Tegenaria) the more important stuff is on the abdomen, but mainly/only if they are female.
Do you see those 2 little black dots on the abdomen in that picture, with the little 'snout' - that would be the epigyne (or epigynal opening).It's studying structures like these (and the male palps) which allows you to ID to a species level.
Other good areas are the spinners (not forgetting the legs, toes, spines and trichobothrium!)
Some are easier than others and sometimes it doesn't help if they are still juveniles!
Welcome to the world of spider ID!!

It is fun, but you can't give 100% id from a photo (unless you have a really good camera, and sometimes a microscope too!)
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You can't get 100% species confirmation from a photo - just a reminder.
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