Rualena

As a genus of Agelenidae, Rualena species possess the characteristic eye arrangement of funnel weavers: eight eyes in two rows, with the posterior row recurved. The genus can be distinguished from other North American agelenid genera by specific morphological features of the genitalia, though detailed diagnostic characters require examination of type specimens and original descriptions. Species-level identification relies on subtle differences in epigynal and palpal structures.

Species of Rualena have been recorded in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Specific microhabitat preferences are poorly documented, though as funnel weavers they likely construct sheet webs with retreat tubes in sheltered locations.

United States (primarily southwestern states) and Mexico (including Baja California). The genus shows a disjunct distribution with some species endemic to specific regions, such as Rualena cedros, Rualena parritas, and Rualena ubicki from Mexico, and Rualena thomas from the United States.

As members of Agelenidae, Rualena species are presumed to construct flat sheet webs with a funnel-shaped retreat at one edge, from which they emerge to capture prey. This behavior is characteristic of the family but has not been specifically documented for Rualena in published studies.

• AgelenopsisAnother North American agelenid genus with overlapping distribution; differs in genitalic morphology and typically has different habitat associations.
• HololenaNorth American funnel weaver genus that shares general body plan; separation requires examination of detailed genitalic structures.

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life