Small Spider ID Please

[LoveT]

Hi

I've no doubt this one's been identified many times, but could some kind person satisfy my curiosity with this one please?

I took this little spider today in my back garden (had to use the 150mm macro so as not to get too close - they scuttle off like greased lightning if you move anywhere near them !).



We get lots of these in our back garden - I see them mostly running around in the grass or at the edges (like on this log edging), hence I've nicknamed them 'meadow spiders'. I seem to see them most frequently when the sun is out, although I think that says more about my behaviour pattern than theirs !

They're no longer than 5mm in length (you can see in the photo by the size of the blades of grass in comparison). Not a lot else to tell you about them, except that I'm fascinated by them.

Thanks for your help

Thea

[Jason Green]

It looks like a Wolf Spider of some type, family Lycosidae. Can't tell you the species though! Grass is a common habitat for them, and they hunt/stalk their prey items as opposed to making webs.

[Geoff F]

Just asking a similar question, Thea.

I would agree that Lycosidae appears the most likely family and just going by colouration, which is virtually meaningless, your spider does resemble some of the Pardosa species; like my photo. But that is just a very rough guess and definitely not an ID.

They are certainly running around quicker than I can focus my camera now. I might go back with a better lens and have another go.

[Venger]

Certainly a Lycosidae, possibly a Pardosa spp - again probably from last years hatchings.

[LoveT]

Thanks all for the replies

I found this one today - it had wandered onto my little wildlife pond, so I rescued it from the water and luckily it was still alive but distinctly 'wet'.

I put it somewhere dry, then went and got my camera to make the most of it not moving around too much !

Top view:



Face-on view:



As I say - amazing little critters, no more than 1/2 cm in size but boy, do they shift!!

Thea

[Geoff F]

Considering the white dots on it's abdomen and the fact that it had gone for a swim, I wonder if it could be one of the Pirata species of Lycosidae; apparently they love damp and marshy places.

Just a suggestion, not an ID.

[No.9 Spider]

Lycosids are variable at the best of times many having being very dark and undeterminable without a microscope. This specimen has some nice abdominal markings.
Pirata species tend to have very distinct white spots along the outer edges of the abdomen.
This specimen bears a good resemblance to Arctosa leopardus, though that's not 100% of course .




No.9 Spider