Two Lycosids for Identification

[Sinaves]

Hi,

I was hoping that somebody might be able to ID two different wolf spider. To me they always look very similar, so I presume they are difficult to ID. Anyway the 'extended phenotype' of the second may be useful in its identification.

Firstly I saw this individual late Sep on a path in West Yorkshire. It looks like a typical run-of-the-mill wolf spider you see everywhere.

[/urlurl=http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/showphoto.php?photo=121247]

The second, while it is difficult to see the spider directly, it has a habit which I am hoping is distinctive. I was in Skye on bog and moorland during October, took a rest, and noticed what I had assumed was old cotton grass was actually a ball of grass and spider silk built on the end of a stalk of grass. Perched inside is what looks like a wolf spider.



I assume this is a habit to keep the spider off the marshy ground. It's not something I've seen before in England (not that I've been looking), and I presume that this sp is restricted to boggy habitats.

Any identification will be very appreciated, from genus to species. Especially if you can give some pointers to how you came to your conclusions.

Thanks very much

Ed

[Meta menardi]

Check out this picture of mine


Is this maybe what you saw? They are often found near water.

Just thought I should add in that the colour of spiders can be quite variable.

[Sinaves]

Hi,

It could be this sp., though I suspect it's not. It's true I didn't get a great look at it, but seemed the colour, size and shape of a wolf spider.

Also, there was little structure to the vegetation; grazed windswept grassland.



It seems very unsuitible for an orb weaver, and I don't remember seeing any while I was there. It is very different from the long grass I have seen Tetragantid orb webs in at the side of rivers.

That being said, I can't be certain. Let's see if there any other ideas or support for your suggestion.

Thanks

Ed

[Geoff F]

Lycosidae spiders vary in colouration which makes them difficult, often impossible, to identify from a photo; even if you have really clear photo close ups to work with.

They do look a bit like some of the Pardosa species but that is just a guess really.

The leaves bent over by spider silk does remind me of the 'nursery tents' constructed by Pisaura mirabilis for it's young; but October is rather late for this.

[Sinaves]

Ok, thanks Geoff for your hypothesis. It looks like the tent-like home of this spider may not be the distinctive feature I was hoping it to be. I couldn't find any photos of a Pisaura mirabilis in its tent that looked like this, probably because there wasn't many to see. Maybe someone who is familiar with this construction can confirm this is what it looks like.

Ed

[frits_b]

In september I found this construction (first pic). A Cheiracanthium erraticum (appropriately called Grass-head sac spider in English) was inside (2nd pic). Maybe yours is a relative?

[Geoff F]

I will have a look through some of my P. mirabilis nursery photos. But Frits suggestion is quite possible; maybe a touch on the late side, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out.

Here is one of my P. mirabilis nursery photos



They sometimes bend the grass heads over a bit tighter than this.

But as I said previously your sighting is a bit late, although I live in the 'extreme south'.

Another idea to consider is a close relative of P. mirabilis; Dolomedes fimbriatus but I think it is mostly a southern species.

[Meta menardi]

Lovely picture, and it is interesting how the spider is pairing it's legs to (partially) give 4 limbs to monitor. I note that the grass the spid is on seems from the inflorescence to be Holcus lanatus, a grass of waste grounds and low productivity meadows, due to the high Silica content making it unpalatable to most grazing animals. Does this fit in with your memories of the site?

[Sinaves]

Hi Frits, Geoff and Meta menardi,

A search for Cheiracanthium on google pics came up with this picture:
http://www.spiderling.de/arages/Foto...rium_Kokon.jpg
It seems spp. in this genus do create structures that look very similar to the one I saw. They are neater and more sack-like than the structures of the other candidates. For that reason I favour Frits' hypothesis that it's a member of this Genus.
Thanks for the P. mirabilis photo (and everybody elses). This sp. is certainly more attractive than the Cheiracanthium spp., and since it is apparently common, I'll have to look out for it this year. It's strange I don't remember seeing it before. I live in Yorkshire, so is it usually found further south, or is it just I don't pay enough attention?
Incidently, the site I saw the spider at was certainly low productivity, and the grass the spider's shelter was on could well have been Holcus lanatus as well since it's common in moorland. Are certain spider spp. associated with this grass?

Thanks for all your contributions. I am certainly learning a lot looking up these different spp!

Ed

[Geoff F]

Well I must admit I have never thought about trying to identify the grass. Searching out and identifying the various creatures around a site tends to take most of my time.

This P. mirabilis was in a fenced off corner of a rather poor weedy grazing field beside an estuary and on the edge of a wood, S. Devon. The area is only used for boat storage so it tends to be quite rich in wildlife.

P. mirabilis is a common spider found everywhere, Ed, and can be found 'sunbathing' in many habitats including gardens during the summer; very common in my garden and greenhouse. The habit of holding their two front legs together is typical of the species. They can often be approached very close before reluctantly moving off which could be why you have overlooked them. Some specimens can be a bit darker in colour.

Of the Cheiracanthium species, only 2 are common in this country and C. virescens prefers dry sandy areas; which makes C. erraticum the most likely.