February 29, 2024

Tentative field key for Pardosa milvina group in Texas

Here's what I'll be testing out in the coming year (ventral views required!):

P. milvina group in Texas key:

  1. black sternum
    _2. relatively short-snouted, lack of distinction between outer carapace band, outer band may be delineated
    by distribution of pale hairs. Pardosa milvina
    _
    2. abdomen usually with distinct 4-spot abdomen pattern, carapace submarginal band distinct with more or
    less continuous, irregular, dark stripe, male with small pale mark near back of carapace: Pardosa saxatilis

  2. pale yellow sternum
    _3. carapace submarginal band distinct with more or less continuous dark stripe; abdomen with
    outlined cardiac mark, medial band composed of large pale eye spots; Pardosa pauxilla
    _
    3. carapace submarginal band bright with few or no dark marks
    _____4. abdomen with yellow medial band, sometimes composed of large eyespots, lateral band black
    with white spots: Pardosa delicatula
    _
    ____4. carapace submarginal band may have a pair of dark tick marks, abdomen without yellow medial
    band: Pardosa atlantica

Key probably most effective for juveniles and females. P. littoralis is excluded. It has a different appearance and can usually be separated
by its brackish habitat where it rarely co-mingles with the other species.

Posted on February 29, 2024 12:56 PM by eaneubauer eaneubauer | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 14, 2023

April 30, 2023

Photo process test

In the last several months I've thought about how I collect data in the field. The first part was improving ventral views by getting more light on the subject, eliminating reflections on a glass bottom, and using a container with inward sloping sides so the subject wasn't as inclined to try climbing the walls. The latest step involved improvements on dorsal views. I took photos of spiders in a pint Tupperware container, a gallon ice cream tub, and a gray mixing bowl. Having bright outdoor lighting and holding the subject and camera still were extremely important in all cases.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/158038840
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/158038846

The mixing bowl handled the spiders best. They walked up the side until they started to slip and then held their position. It was fairly easy to get close for a a direct dorsal photo, and the spiders were posed in a fairly flat, natural pose. However, gray was a poor choice and caused harsher shadows. Next attempt with compare the gray bowl with a white one. Fortunately the 3-bowl set I bought at Wamart included both. Ultimately, a bowl with white walls and a gray center may be best. Placing one or more 3/4" diameter stickers on the bottom will allow the spiders length to be easily scaled.

@pfau_tarleton

Posted on April 30, 2023 11:44 AM by eaneubauer eaneubauer | 2 comments | Leave a comment

July 12, 2022

Hogna 'incognita'

Hogna 'incognita' is a formally undescribed species found primarily in parts of Texas and Oklahoma. It's similar to Hogna antelucana and baltimoriana, and has been found co-mingled with those species in Texas and Oklahoma respectively. Entire known range based on iNat observations extends from a little southwest of San Antonio, TX, to the north, northeast, and then east to Memphis, TN. It appears to be best adapted to clay soils like Texas blackland and may be less active in colder temperatures than the two similar species. Links to presentation materials for Hogna 'incognita' in comparison to Hogna antelucana follow:

https://eaneubauer.ipower.com/lycosid/Hogna_presentation.pdf

Slide show updated for 2024 presentation:

https://eaneubauer.ipower.com/Hiding_in_Plain_Sight_2024_300dpi.pdf

Only the first document has ventral series for developing antelucana and 'incognita' juveniles if you're looking for that.

Last updated 2/9/24

Posted on July 12, 2022 09:06 AM by eaneubauer eaneubauer | 5 comments | Leave a comment

May 6, 2022

County level ranges for various Texas Lycosids

I've started compiling some county level ranges for various genera. iNat observation numbers are included so you can check my evidence. You could refer to those observations as my "range vouchers". I'll update these files periodically and add others. These are primarily worksheets which ultimately will be used to fill in a map of Texas counties.

https://eaneubauer.ipower.com/lycosid/Rabidosa_TX_County.rtf
https://eaneubauer.ipower.com/lycosid/Hogna_TX_County_I.rtf
https://eaneubauer.ipower.com/lycosid/Arctosa_TX_County.rtf

Hogna_TX_County_I doesn't include carolinesis, coloradensis or the lenta group species because field identification of these species is not advanced enough to reliably identify typical iNat observations.

Sample county level range map of Arctosa littoralis in Texas based on iNaturalist observations prepared 10/15/22:

https://eaneubauer.ipower.com/lycosid/ArctosalittoralisTXrange101522.jpg

Updated 1/27/23.

Posted on May 6, 2022 01:23 PM by eaneubauer eaneubauer | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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