Scylaceus
Bishop & Crosby, 1938
Species Guides
1- Scylaceus pallidus(dwarf spider)
Scylaceus is a of sheet-weaving spiders in the Linyphiidae, first described by Bishop and Crosby in 1938. The genus contains two described : S. pallidus and S. selma. Both species are found in Canada and the United States. Members of this genus are small spiders that construct flat, horizontal sheet webs.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scylaceus: /sɪˈleɪsiəs/
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Identification
Scylaceus can be distinguished from other Linyphiidae by the combination of its North American distribution and specific genitalic characteristics described in the original 1938 . The genus is characterized by particular features of the male and female , though detailed morphological descriptions require examination of . Distinguishing Scylaceus from other small linyphiid genera such as Lepthyphantes or Bathyphantes requires microscopic examination.
Distribution
Canada and the United States. Specific locality records are sparse, with observations and collections scattered across North America.
Similar Taxa
- LepthyphantesBoth are small Linyphiidae with similar body forms; requires genitalic examination to distinguish.
- BathyphantesSimilar size and web-building ; distinguished by and structure.
More Details
Taxonomic History
The was established by S.C. Bishop and C.R. Crosby in 1938 based on specimens from North America. The type is Scylaceus pallidus. The genus has remained small, with only two described species as of 2019, suggesting either genuine rarity or undercollection due to the small size of these spiders.