Ceraticelus laetabilis
(O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874)
Ceraticelus laetabilis is a dwarf spider in the Linyphiidae, found in the United States and Canada. Two are recognized: C. l. laetabilis and C. l. pisga. As a member of the Erigoninae, it belongs to a group of small spiders commonly known as dwarf spiders or money spiders.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ceraticelus laetabilis: /sɛˈræ.tɪˌsiː.ləs læ.təˈbiː.lɪs/
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Identification
Identification to level requires examination of genitalic characters. The Ceraticelus belongs to the Erigoninae, distinguished from the Linyphiinae (sheetweb spiders) by morphological features of the male and female . C. l. laetabilis and C. l. pisga are distinguished by subtle morphological differences, with pisga described from North Carolina.
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Distribution
Recorded from the United States and Canada. Canadian records include Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Similar Taxa
- Florinda (genus)Both are small, brightly colored Linyphiidae that can appear superficially similar; Florinda belongs to Linyphiinae (sheetweb spiders) while Ceraticelus is in Erigoninae (dwarf spiders), requiring careful examination of arrangement and genitalic structures to distinguish.
- Hypsosinga (genus)Small, brightly colored spiders that may be mistaken for each other; Hypsosinga is in Araneidae (orb weavers) and builds orb webs, whereas Ceraticelus is a non-orb-weaving Linyphiidae.
More Details
Subspecies
Two are recognized: Ceraticelus laetabilis laetabilis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874) and Ceraticelus laetabilis pisga Chamberlin, 1949. The latter was described from Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina.