ID - Zora sp?

[DivingDave1980]

Hi!

Can anyone offer me a second opinion? I've keyed it out to Zora sp. probably Zora spinimana but I'm not hugely confident with my diagnostic skills!!

The image from direct above has been intentionally over sharpened to try and make diagnostic features a bit clearer (dangerous I know).

The spider was probably about 5-6mm ish in length

Thanks!

Dave.

[frits_b]

Zora? It's a Philodromus sp., lots of these have been posted in the past couple of weeks.

[DivingDave1980]

Ah yes!

Silly me, I keyed out far too early . A diagnostician I may make... Some day. I certainly need a lot of practice!!

Thanks for the help!

Dave.

[No.9 Spider]

Zoridae species look very little different from the Lycosidae (Wolf spiders) in the field, Zora spinimana being a very light species (in my experience).

Zora spinimana photos and info




No.9 Spider

[DivingDave1980]

Thanks No.9,

I do try to ignore colours and markings as far as possible when identifying, but it does make it a little harder. I got done on this one by looking at the eyes, not being able to see them clearly and therefore second guessing what was (or wasn't) there. It is clear that Zoridae have very distinctive eyes - and I should have had a look on the (rather excellent) eurospiders website before posting here.

Apologies if I've annoyed anyone, I should have checked from more than one resource - but at least I learned something!



Thanks!

Dave.

[No.9 Spider]

Hi Dave, I'm sure you'll not annoy anyone on here in the quest for knowledge, it's what the sites about . It's only contentious subjects that spark annoyance on here I think!
Out of interest what literature are you using for keying out?

No.9 Spider

[DivingDave1980]

Hi No.9,

Yes - definitely all about learning!

I'm using Michael Roberts excellent Spiders of Britain and Northern Europe (very badly apparently!! )

Dave.

[Geoff F]

That is an excellent book but ID keys are difficult to use with a photo. I usually end up shouting 'I can't see that can I'.

But if you compare Robert's Zoridae illustration on Plate 7 with the Philodromus species on Plates 10 & 11 you will notice the difference in leg lengths. I find leg length is usually one of the chief diagnostic tips. And generally easier to see than eyes in a photo.

But eye position is important and well up on my diagnostic list.

[DivingDave1980]

Hi Geoff,

I completely agree - I find it very difficult when you just don't have the right angle - it's quite frustrating! As I gain more experience though I should be able (!) to get some pictures of specific diagnostic body parts (like the eyes!). The main reason for taking the pictures as I did was to see how clearly I could see the epigyne under cling film as a non-destructive way of identifying to species level (although I really should learn to key out to family / genus level first. The next thing for me to try would be to get a front headshot under the clingfilm for a full view or the eyes, but this may prove a little difficult!

Many thanks,
Dave.