Wadotes
Chamberlin, 1925
Wadotes is a of North funnel weavers ( Agelenidae) established by R.V. Chamberlin in 1925. The genus contains eleven distributed primarily in the eastern and central United States and southern Canada. These are characterized by their build, heavy legs, and relatively large size compared to other agelenids, with some species reaching 14 mm in body length. The genus has undergone taxonomic revisions, having been placed in Amaurobiidae before returning to Agelenidae based on morphological evidence.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Wadotes: /ˈwɑːdoʊts/
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Identification
Wadotes are relatively large, powerful with heavy legs and enlarged . They lack the characteristic of Amaurobiidae, which helped confirm their placement in Agelenidae. Species-level identification requires examination of male and female ; the is closely allied to Coras, with which it shares multiple retreat construction in webs. Wadotes calcaratus and W. hybridus are among the more widespread species, with distributions extending into Canada.
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Distribution
Eastern and central United States and southern Canada. Specific distributions include: W. bimucronatus (USA), W. calcaratus (USA, Canada), W. carinidactylus (USA), W. deceptis (USA), W. dixiensis (USA), W. georgiensis (USA), W. hybridus (USA, Canada), W. mumai (USA), W. saturnus (USA), W. tennesseensis (USA), and W. willsi (USA).
Seasonality
are found in summer and fall. Activity period inferred from collection records and of related agelenids.
Similar Taxa
- CorasBoth were historically grouped together and moved between Agelenidae and Amaurobiidae; they share the characteristic of constructing webs with multiple retreats rather than single retreats typical of other funnel weavers.
- TegenariaSimilar funnel-web construction and general body plan; distinguished by Wadotes' more build, heavier legs, and different genitalic structure.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Wadotes and the allied Coras were moved from Agelenidae to Amaurobiidae by Joerg Wunderlich in 1986 based on certain morphological similarities, but were returned to Agelenidae when it was determined they lack the defining of Amaurobiidae. This taxonomic instability reflects ongoing challenges in -level .
Predation
Wadotes calcaratus and W. hybridus have been documented as of the Priocnemis minorata ( ), indicating their role in of deciduous forest .