Small spider with large pedipalps

[Bruce Williams]

Stockgrove Country Park, Beds. 23rd Feb '09.

Size: See scale bar.

Very active individual. Help with identification appreciated as always.



Bruce

[Venger]

Looks like a Linyphiidae family, you don't happen to have a side shot of the carapace do you?
Wasn't near water was it?

Probably and Erigone sp, though I couldn't confirm it without seeing the palps under a microscope (poss E.arctica.)

[No.9 Spider]

Without doubt it's an Erigone species, the visible 'teeth' around the edge of the carapace being the give away (though they are much smaller or absent in females). The males of these species have quite long pedipalps also and the carapace is raised into a lobe in the males.
As Des says i.d. is impossible without a microscope, though very easy with! In my experience, the chances are that this will be Erigone dentipalpis, which along with E. atra are the most common of the group. I've also found that 9 times out of 10, that when collecting aeronaut spiders, usually on vehicles, it'll be Erigone dentipalpis.

......and great photo's as usual Bruce

No.9 Spider

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your help guys - very much appreciated as always.

Des - I'm afraid I don't have any other pics of this spider, however I could upload a slightly larger image if that's any help.

No9 - Yes now you mention it I can see the "teeth" around the edge of the carapace (Ah - that could be why Des was after better shot of the carapace).

Bruce

[Venger]

That and so I could see the raised carapace.
They are particularly important on several Linyphiidae sp, making it easier to id them.