Bathyphantes alascensis
(Banks, 1900)
Three-spined Shield Sheetweaver
Bathyphantes alascensis is a small sheetweb in the Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Three-spined Shield Sheetweaver. The occurs across northern North America from Alaska through Canada to the northern United States. Like other linyphiids, it constructs horizontal sheet webs, often with a retreat at the edge. The Bathyphantes is part of the diverse sheetweb spider , with males possessing complex used in mating.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Bathyphantes alascensis: /ˌbæθɪˈfæntiːz əˌlæˈsɛnsɪs/
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Identification
Males of Bathyphantes alascensis can be distinguished from by examination of the , specifically the structure and associated . The pedipalp bulb contains sperm and terminates in the embolus which enters the female during mating. Females possess an epigynum with -specific sclerotized structures that serve as a 'lock' matching only male ''. The Bathyphantes is distinguished from similar sheetweb genera by genitalic rather than somatic characters.
Distribution
Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba; United States: Alaska and northern states. The occurs across and northern temperate regions of North America.
Life Cycle
As with other , males use modified as intromittent organs to transfer sperm to females. The male constructs a sperm web, semen upon it, and draws the fluid into within each pedipalp. Males wander to locate females. Females store sperm in for later of . Specific details of egg sac construction, development, and stages for this are not documented.
Behavior
Constructs sheet webs typical of the Linyphiidae—horizontal platforms with a retreat at one edge where the waits for . The spider travels on the underside of the web to secure captured prey.
Similar Taxa
- Other Bathyphantes speciesRequires examination of male or female for definitive separation; somatic characters are generally insufficient for -level identification in this .
- Other Linyphiidae generaDistinguished by genitalic ; many small sheetweb appear superficially similar and require microscopic examination of reproductive structures.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The was described by Nathan Banks in 1900. The Bathyphantes is part of the large Linyphiidae, which contains thousands of species of small sheetweb . Accurate identification within this family typically requires examination of genitalic structures under magnification.