Bathyphantes weyeri
(Emerton, 1875)
Wide Shield Sheetweaver
Bathyphantes weyeri is a of sheetweb in the Linyphiidae, first described by Emerton in 1875. It belongs to a of small spiders that construct flat, horizontal sheet webs often accompanied by a dome-shaped retreat. The species is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology and remain poorly documented. Like other linyphiids, it is presumed to be a small-bodied spider that occupies ground-level or low vegetation .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Bathyphantes weyeri: /ˌbæθɪˈfæntiːz ˈwaɪəri/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
As a member of Linyphiidae, B. weyeri is distinguished from other sheetweb by genitalic characters. The Bathyphantes is characterized by male with a distinct and bulb structure, and females possess a sclerotized with -specific configurations of and ducts. The specific epithet 'weyeri' honors a person, following the convention of Emerton's naming practices. Definitive identification requires examination of under magnification.
Distribution
United States. Specific state or regional records are not documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- Other Bathyphantes speciesCongeneric share general body plan and web architecture; distinguished primarily by subtle differences in male shape and female structure.
- Other Linyphiidae generaMany linyphiid construct similar sheet webs; separation requires examination of arrangement, cheliceral , and genitalic .
More Details
Nomenclature
The was described by James Henry Emerton in 1875, a prominent arachnologist known for his detailed illustrations of New England . The specific epithet likely honors an individual, though the exact referent is not documented in available sources.
Data Deficiency
Only one observation is recorded in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff, indicating this is rarely encountered or underreported. The sparse occurrence data suggests it may be genuinely uncommon, cryptic in habit, or restricted to specific microhabitats that are infrequently sampled.