Metepeira crassipes

Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942

Metepeira crassipes is a of orb-weaving spider in the Araneidae. It belongs to the labyrinth spider Metepeira, characterized by complex web architecture combining an orb web with a tangled labyrinthine barrier and a debris-decorated retreat. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it constructs a thimble-like retreat connected to the orb web hub by a signal thread, from which the spider monitors for prey.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Metepeira crassipes: //ˌmɛtɛˈpaɪrə ˈkræsɪˌpɛs//

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Identification

Metepeira crassipes can be distinguished from other Metepeira by its geographic distribution in the southwestern United States and Mexico, overlapping with the range of M. spinipes. The is most diverse in western North America. Species-level identification typically requires examination of genitalia and comparison with . The web structure—combining a small orb web with an extensive tangled labyrinth and a debris-covered retreat—is characteristic of the genus but not unique to this species.

Habitat

Based on -level information, Metepeira occupy arid and semi-arid in western North America, including scrublands and open woodlands. Metepeira spinipes, which shares the southwestern distribution of M. crassipes, has been documented in habitats from southern Oregon into Mexico. Specific microhabitat preferences for M. crassipes have not been independently documented.

Distribution

United States (southwestern) and Mexico. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America and North America.

Behavior

As a member of the labyrinth spider , M. crassipes likely constructs a composite web structure with a small orb web for prey capture and an extensive tangled barrier (the "labyrinth") surrounding a retreat. The spider presumably waits in its retreat, connected to the orb hub by a signal thread, and rushes out when vibrations indicate prey impact. Whether this exhibits the social tendencies documented in M. spinipes and M. incrassata has not been reported.

Similar Taxa

Metepeira spinipesOverlapping geographic range in southwestern United States and Mexico; similar web architecture and preferences. M. spinipes has been documented exhibiting social in some , a trait not reported for M. crassipes.
Metepeira labyrintheaShares the characteristic labyrinth web structure, but occurs in eastern North America rather than the Southwest, making range the primary distinguishing feature.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The specific epithet "crassipes" (meaning "thick-footed") refers to a morphological feature of the , though detailed leg has not been summarized in accessible literature.

Data Deficiency

This is notably data-deficient compared to like M. labyrinthea, M. spinipes, and M. incrassata. No dedicated studies of its , , or appear to have been published, with most information inferred from -level characteristics.