Pardosa with egg sac. Is it P. monticola?

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 06:31 PM

There are vast numbers of this species in my area, S. Devon, on the coast and I have been trying to get a positive ID for over a year. I suspect P. monticola: spotting on the femora but rest of the legs are plain; centre of the carapace is higher than the edges, with quite a steep gradient.

I now have some photos with egg sacs, does this help with ID or just 'muddy the waters' even further? I know I can't get 100% positive from a photo but I will settle for 80% probable!

Males usually appear to be darker (I think this is a male but not totally certain from that angle).

Anything else that I should be looking out for to add to the ID chances?

dmclean2 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 06:47 PM

Hi Geoff,
A measurement of length from nose to tail could be benificial in the ID
and it is a male in the last pic, I'd wait for a better ID from our spider guys
Duncan

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 06:43 PM

I didn't give a size, Duncan, because it is 'standard' Pardosa size around 5 or 6 mm. I'm happy with it being a Pardosa sp but I keep seeing them everywhere here and just wondered if the egg sac might narrow down the ID a bit closer.

I'm just learning spider ID and egg sacs are rather an unknown quantity to me.