Ceratinopsidis

Bishop & Crosby, 1930

Species Guides

1

Ceratinopsidis is a of sheet-web weaving spiders in the Linyphiidae, first described by Bishop & Crosby in 1930. The genus contains a single , Ceratinopsidis formosa. It belongs to the diverse group of dwarf spiders, characterized by small body size and the construction of flat, horizontal sheet webs.

Ceratinopsidis formosa by (c) Matthew Lindsey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC-BY license.Ceratinopsidis by no rights reserved, uploaded by Yann Kemper. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ceratinopsidis: //ˌsɛrəˌtɪnɒpˈsɪdɪs//

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

Identification

As a with only Ceratinopsidis formosa, identification relies on distinguishing this from other Linyphiidae genera. Members of Linyphiidae generally exhibit small body size (often under 5 mm), elongated , and possess a distinctive arrangement with the eyes typically smaller than the median eyes. Specific diagnostic characters for Ceratinopsidis require examination of genital .

Images

Distribution

The single Ceratinopsidis formosa has been recorded in North America. The as a whole has limited documented occurrence, reflecting its rarity or restricted range.

Behavior

As a member of Linyphiidae, individuals construct sheet webs—flat, horizontal silk platforms often positioned above the ground or vegetation, with a retreat area and threads above to intercept flying prey.

Ecological Role

As a sheet-web weaving spider, it functions as a of small flying and jumping arthropods, contributing to regulation of insect in its .

Similar Taxa

  • CeratinopsisSimilar name and shared Linyphiidae; distinguished by genitalic and different composition.
  • Other Linyphiidae generaMany linyphiid share small size and sheet-web building ; precise identification requires microscopic examination of and .

More Details

Taxonomic status

The has remained since its description in 1930, with no additional described as of 2017. This rarity suggests either genuine biological scarcity or taxonomic neglect of small linyphiid spiders.

Observation rarity

With only 12 observations documented on iNaturalist, this represents one of the more poorly known linyphiid genera in terms of citizen science documentation.

Sources and further reading