Two spiders for ID

[wilippa]

Found these two in my garden a couple of days ago (also found others but not able to photo). I think I've identified the first as Drassodes lapidosus. The mouthparts were very dark and the spinnarets prominent as in the picture I have in my not-so user-friendly book. It moved very quickly and sought a dark place after I'd disturbed it (hence the awkward angled photo).

Could the second be a colour variation of Enoplognatha ovata? I'm new to this spider-IDing game and the books I have aren't very helpful!

[No.9 Spider]

The first one looks like a Clubiona species, though not the best angle to i.d. from. The second looks like Zygiella x-notata, it should have a segment of it's web missing.
When i.d.'g spiders it's difficult to get 100% accuracy to a particular species without the use of a microscope and using genitalia ie; epigyne or palps despite the similarity that may appear between subject and photo's in a book.

...................and welcome to WAB

[frits_b]

I think the second one looks more like an Araneus species. The orange colour of its carapace is typical for the genus. Araneus quadratus is a possible candidate, looking at the four light spots in the folium on its abdomen.

[No.9 Spider]

You could be right Frits on second look, it does look a bit on the rotund side!

[wilippa]

Thanks for your help. Like I said, I'm new to this spider ID-ing thing. Though have already picked up on the fact that ID is often difficult from a photo - it's mentioned often in these forums. However, since I don't have a microscope and am keen not to disturb these little ones if I can avoid it, a photo is all I can go on. I have done some googling of the species you mention and can't say with any certainty but you may well be right.

[sebastianbawn]

The markings would make me think Araneus quadratus?

[Meta menardi]

Because the abdomen is so clearly marked with a foliate pattern, I would go for Araneus marmoreus. The colour is a good match.

http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Eu...photo26798.htm

[MattPrince]

Don't despair, there are quite a few that you can identify to at least genus level without any visual aids, and a hand lens will help with many of them, practice as always makes perfect.

What book are you using? If its Roberts, I struggled with it for a long time, then suddenly found it was much easier, something clicked with experience I think - perhaps knowing that the colour patterns are vary variable, and having a rough idea where to look for certain types helps.

The AIGAP spider family guide is good for its key if you ever want to go the microscope route (and I've used it with live specimens and a field microscope).