small spider attacking centipede

Toby · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 03:14 PM

which it killed. Richmond Park today

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 07:31 PM

Any indication of spider size, fully grown centipede? With those visible spinners I'm thinking about one of the Gnaphosidae family and possibly Haplodrassus signifer, about 8 mm excluding legs for a female. The habitat would fit but there are a few similar species and I'm a bit unsure of this family.

frits_b · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Any indication of spider size, fully grown centipede? With those visible spinners I'm thinking about one of the Gnaphosidae family and possibly Haplodrassus signifer, about 8 mm excluding legs for a female. The habitat would fit but there are a few similar species and I'm a bit unsure of this family.

It doesn't look like a Gnaphosid to me. The abdomen is way too globular and hairless. Not that I know what is is though ;-)

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 08:36 PM

Evening Toby,

May I suggest it being a Linyphiid?

Take care,

Jason

No.9 Spider · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 08:41 PM

It's definitely not one of the Gnaphosidae. There are so many spiders that have similar characteristics that it's impractical to suggest anything really. It could fall into the Theridiidae (not Theridion), similar to Robertus lividus, or could more likely be one of the numerous Linyphiidae. One that would need keying out in my opinion.
Excellent photo by the way

No.9 Spider

Toby · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 08:22 AM

young centipede, think spider was about 5mm-6mm under a rotting log

Geoff F · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 07:10 PM

So are what I considered to be spinners visible from above, actually something else like colouration spots or just a few lumps? Or is it just a weird angle that has confused me?

No.9 Spider · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff F

So are what I considered to be spinners visible from above, actually something else like colouration spots or just a few lumps? Or is it just a weird angle that has confused me?

Hi Geoff, you're not mistaken, they do appear to be abdominal tubercles though I've failed so far to find any reference to a possible British species having such things and have nothing in mind from personal experience. A few species that came to mind were negative.
They are not symmetrically placed on the abdomen and so are probably not 'normal'. What they are I don't know.

No.9 Spider

Geoff F · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010, 08:05 PM

Thanks for confirming that I wasn't imagining things!

I just saw what I assumed to be obvious spinners and immediately ran off down the wrong road.

No.9 Spider · #10 (**permalink**) 14-03-2010, 04:06 PM

I've had a more experienced amateur araneologist take a look at this photo and he is of the opinion as I was that the abdominal tubercles are anomalous and the spider could be either Robertus lividus or the similar Enoplognatha thoracica. These are by no means a 100% i.d. of course.

No.9 Spider