Ceraticelus fissiceps
(O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874)
dwarf spider
Ceraticelus fissiceps is a of dwarf spider in the Linyphiidae. It serves as the type species for the Ceraticelus, and examination of its specimens has been used to establish a formal definition of the genus. The species is found in the United States and Canada, with records from multiple provinces across Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a sheet-web weaving spider in the Linyphiidae family, it likely constructs small horizontal webs in vegetation.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ceraticelus fissiceps: /ˌsɛrəˈtɪsɪləs ˈfɪsɪsɛps/
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Identification
As the type of Ceraticelus, C. fissiceps is characterized by the -defining features of male palpal bulb conformation and paracymbium . The genus Ceraticelus is distinguished from related linyphiid genera by specific structural characteristics of the male copulatory bulb, though these features have been noted as problematic and only superficially treated in prior literature. Detailed morphological examination of C. fissiceps specimens has helped clarify these diagnostic features.
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Distribution
Found in the United States and Canada. Canadian records include the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The full extent of its range within the United States is not precisely documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- Ceraticelus phylaxA potential sister that has been introduced to southern California where it now co-occurs with C. artemisiae; distinguished from C. fissiceps and other by shared characters that separate them as a distinct species pair.
- Ceraticelus artemisiaeA recently described from southern California that co-occurs with C. phylax; both species are distinguished from C. fissiceps and other by specific morphological characters.
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Taxonomic significance
Ceraticelus fissiceps holds particular importance as the type of the Ceraticelus. A 2009 taxonomic revision used detailed examination of C. fissiceps specimens to provide the first adequate definition of the genus, addressing previously problematic aspects of male palpal bulb conformation and paracymbium .