Black spider ID

[mickmassie]

They certainly look like A ferox to me. You have to catch one and look under the microscope, as abdomen patterns do vary a lot in many species. M.

[No.9 Spider]

Originally Posted by sebastianbawn

Sorry to question it, but I thought it was risky to try an ID from sheer looks with spiders?

For many of our species it is difficult to be precise other than to which family they belong, hence there cannot be 100% i.d. without microscopical examination.
The original spider in in question in this thread has an appearance of Amaurobius, and is not dissimilar to Coelotes sp. as I said previously.
I generally use personal experience of a species where possible. Coelotes have distinct abdominal markings although they are often that dark it's barely visible.
You could almost imagine your specimen as a very dark Amaurobius similis as it has a feint and widely spaced cardiac mark and chevrons to the rear.
However A. ferox does not have annulated legs, and Roberts nicely describes the abdomen of A. ferox as having "....almost black with vague lighter markings, sometimes rather like skull and cross-bones, give it a sinister appearance". I think this description covers your specimen nicely.

The other two photo's I believe to be A. ferox also. Although the first is male and does not show the 'distinct white palpal tibia', you have to consider that it is actually the palpal bulb that gives the white appearance and if it is not inflated or the angle of view is not suitable this feature will not be seen.



No.9 Spider

[sebastianbawn]

Thanks No.9. I find Amaurobius so difficult. But thanks for clearing it up 4 me