2 spiders for ID

[Anzu]

I took these shots last week in Norfolk along a woodland walkpath. I found a few of these spiders on nettle leaves that make themselves long and thin by pointing their legs both out in front and behind themselves (see photo below).

They were smallish but I can't give exact size, could someone please ID them and also if possible explain why they make themselves long like that?

Spider 1:


In long position


I also found this small (5mm or less) crab spider, is it possible to ID it? Being so small is it possibly a male?

Spider 2:


Thank you!

[pammosley]

Hi, I think the 2nd one is Araniella cucurbitina
I`m just learning though

Here is a site I found which is very useful

Araniella cucurbitina photos and info

[Anzu]

Originally Posted by pammosley

Hi, I think the 2nd one is Araniella cucurbitina
I`m just learning though

Here is a site I found which is very useful

Araniella cucurbitina photos and info

Cool Thanks That does certainly look like it! After looking at the pages I'm going to guess it is most likely a female.

I have finally found what my first spider is myself, Tetragnatha extensa. Still don't understand why they are elongated like that though.

[Geoff F]

My first thoughts about No. 1 are, could it be another Tetragnatha but from an odd angle which is causing a bit of 'visual distortion'.

Otherwise, I wonder about a male Enoplognatha ovata which isn't sexually mature yet.

This I suspect, however, is one for the experts.

Tetragnatha are certainly a distinctive family but it is very difficult to obtain an exact species identification from a photo, and certainly not from a top only shot. So Tetragnatha sp. is the best that can be achieved.

The third one could well be Araniella cucurbitina although Araniella opisthographa is virtually identical; and I suspect this one might be a juvenile.

[John_M]

I reckon no.1 is a female Tetragnatha extensa or T. montana.
I've seen them stretch out like that when they're disturbed, usually along a stem; presumably it's a concealment mechanism, as it does make them quite difficult to see.

[Anzu]

Thank you guys for your replies, I shall label number 1 as Tetragnatha sp. and number 2 as Araniella sp. as it is not certain of the exact species.