Bathyphantes weyeri
(Emerton, 1875)
Wide Shield Sheetweaver
Bathyphantes weyeri is a of sheetweb spider 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 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/
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Identification
As a member of Linyphiidae, B. weyeri is distinguished from other sheetweb spiders by genitalic characters. The Bathyphantes is characterized by male with a distinct embolus and bulb structure, and females possess a sclerotized with -specific configurations of copulatory openings and ducts. The specific epithet 'weyeri' honors a person, following the convention of Emerton's naming practices. Definitive identification requires examination of genitalia 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 embolus 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 American arachnologist known for his detailed illustrations of New England spiders. 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.