Haplodrassus

Chamberlin, 1922

ground spiders

Species Guides

Haplodrassus bicornis
Haplodrassus eunis
Haplodrassus maculatus
Haplodrassus signifer(Ensign Ground Hunter)
Haplodrassus stuxbergi
Haplodrassus taibo

Haplodrassus is a of ground spiders (Gnaphosidae) comprising 101 and one . Members range from 3 to 10 mm in body length. The genus has a broad distribution across North America, Europe, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa, with H. signifer being the most widespread North American species.

Haplodrassus by (c) Tone Killick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tone Killick. Used under a CC-BY license.

Haplodrassus signifer1 by Zoologische Staatssammlung Muenchen. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Haplodrassus signifer (C.L. Koch 1839) ♀ adult by Elena Regina. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Haplodrassus: /ˌhæploʊˈdræsəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

As ground spiders in the Gnaphosidae, Haplodrassus possess the diagnostic arrangement characteristic of the family: enlarged lateral spinnerets with a cylindrical segment. Species-level identification relies primarily on examination of male and female epigynal structures, with particular attention to genital as detailed in taxonomic revisions.

Images

Distribution

The occurs across North America (H. signifer found throughout except Alaska and northern Canada), Europe (including Great Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark), the Mediterranean region, and North Africa (Maghreb: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia). New country records include Turkey for H. mediterraneus and H. silvestris, and Britain for H. umbratilis.

Similar Taxa

DrassodesHistorically confused with Haplodrassus; multiple have been transferred between these based on revised generic concepts. Distinguished by detailed examination of arrangement, structure, and genital .
ZelotesAnother large of Gnaphosidae with similar ground-dwelling habits. Separation requires examination of male and female epigynal characters, as well as subtle differences in arrangement and body proportions.

More Details

Taxonomic History

The has undergone extensive revision, particularly in Mediterranean and North African regions. Six new were described from the Maghreb in 2018 (H. dentifer, H. longivulva, H. lyndae, H. ovatus, H. securifer, H. triangularis). Numerous new synonyms and combinations have been proposed, with several species transferred from Drassus and Drassodes. Haplodrassus macellinus was removed from the North African list and restricted to S.W. Europe.