Using this Guide

Reading Entries

Each entry in this guide corresponds to a unique morphospecies.

A morphospecies is a species assignment based on the appearance of the specimen. In our lab, we assigned morphospecies based on both the appearance of the spider and the spiderweb. Our morphospecies codes consist of the lowest taxonomic rank determined for the species, along with a unique number for each morphospecies. For example, if we have three Cyclosa spiders that look different from each other, we will assign them the morphospecies ‘cyclosa.sp1,’ ‘cyclosa.sp2,’ and ‘cyclosa.sp3.’ If we have two Anapis spiders that look identical, we will assign them both the morphospecies ‘anapis.sp1.’

Web Type:

Which kind of web the spider builds. Either orb, tangle, or sheet-tangle.

Refuge:

Whether or not the spider builds a protective structure beside/on the web.

Spider Pictures

spider.sp1

Araneae

Anapidae

Unknown

2019.NRP.W7.14

Black-coloured spherical abdomen, with eight legs. Black-coloured cephalothorax. Black legs, chelicerae, eyes, and pedipalps. Leg 4 is much longer than other legs.

Locations: Place, Area, Country (elevation); Place, Area, Country (elevation)

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YYYY.LLL.W0.00

YYYY.LLL.W0.00, YYY.LLL.W0.00, YYYY.LLL.W0.00, YYYY.LLL.W0.00, YYYY.LLL.W0.00

Description:

Detailed description of the appearance for members of the morphospecies.

Locations:

Places we have found spiders of this morphospecies.

Spider #

Year

YYYY.LLL.W0.00

Location

Transect #

Spider Codes:

The codes of spiders we have found of this morphospecies.

Taxonomy:

Here, the order, family, and genus of the morphospecies is provided. Sometimes, we do not know the family or genus, so those sections will remain blank. Clicking the box with order, family, or genus will take you to that page. All families are listed on the Araneae page.

Understanding Descriptions

The descriptions of morphospecies entries often contain terminology specific to spiders. In this section is a crash course on basic spider anatomy, as well as provide a glossary of terms.

Spinnerets

Dorsal View:

Abdomen

Cephalothorax

Pedipalp

Palpal Bulb (Males)

Chelicerae

Fangs

Femur

Patella

Tibia

Tarsus & Metatarsus

Claws

Posterior Median Eye

Posterior Lateral Eye

Anterior Lateral Eye

Anterior Median Eye

Ventral View:

Epigynum (Females)

Coxa

Glossary

Term	Definition
Patella	The fourth leg segment, or knee, attached to the femur and tibia.
Pedicel	A structure that connects the abdomen to the cephalothorax.
Pedipalp	Thin, elongated appendages used for taste and smell, located at the front of the cephalothorax. They are attatched to palpal bulbs in male spiders.
Posterior Lateral Eyes	The pair of eyes on the back side edge of the cephalothorax.
Posterior Median Eyes	The pair of eyes on the back middle of the cephalothorax.
Refuge	A protective structure the spider builds or brings onto its web, to shield itself from predators. For example, a curled leaf, a silken funnel, or a decoy exoskeleton.
Sheet-Tangle Web	A 3-dimensional web consisting of a basket, dome, or sheet of silk, accompanied by a loose tangle of silk. They are build by some spiders (e.g., Kapogea, Litoporus, Mecolaesthus).
Silk	An organic fibre spun by spiders to build their webs
Spinneret	An external organ used for spinning silk, located on the abdomen tip or on the ventral side of the abdomen.
Stabilimentum	A silken web decoration built by spider, potentially used to lure prey through reflecting ultraviolet light or camoflague the spider (i.e., act as a refuge). Examples of stabilimenta shapes include a spiral, X-mark, oval, or zig zag.
Sternum	The bottom side of the cephalothorax
Tangle Web	A 3-dimensional web of loose silk strands build by some spiders (e.g., Architis, Argyrodes, Chrysso).