Sosippus mimus
Chamberlin, 1924
funnel-web wolf spider
Sosippus mimus is a web-building wolf spider in the Lycosidae. Unlike most wolf spiders, which are nomadic hunters, in the Sosippus construct sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats. This species is found in the United States and shares the distinctive arrangement typical of lycosids: two large eyes with four smaller eyes below and two lateral eyes flanking them.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sosippus mimus: //soʊˈsɪpəs ˈmaɪməs//
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Identification
Distinguished from true funnel-web spiders (Agelenidae) by arrangement: Sosippus has two large eyes with four smaller eyes beneath, while agelenids have eyes of relatively equal size in a compact group. Distinguished from other wolf spiders by its web-building and the presence of a sheet web with funnel retreat.
Images
Appearance
Medium-sized wolf spider. Specific body measurements for this are not documented, though related Sosippus species have females measuring 14.7-17.6 mm and males 13.4-14.4 mm. The arrangement is diagnostic: two large, forward-facing eyes positioned above a row of four much smaller eyes, with two posterior lateral eyes flanking the large pair. This contrasts with the more compact, equal-sized eye arrangement of funnel-web weavers in Agelenidae.
Habitat
Specific preferences for S. mimus are not documented. Related Sosippus in the southern U.S. inhabit riparian edges, stream corridors, wetland margins, and desert environments where webs are constructed over vegetation such as cacti, agave, and palmetto, or within rock crevices.
Distribution
United States. Distribution records indicate presence in North America with specific locality data limited to USA.
Life Cycle
Has been observed to share behavioral traits with other Sosippus : females carry sacs attached to until hatching, and spiderlings ride on the mother's back until their next . Extended maternal care has been documented in , with spiderlings sharing the maternal web for months and receiving food from the mother.
Behavior
Constructs sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats, an unusual among wolf spiders. Web architecture resembles that of agelenid funnel-web spiders. In captivity, related show for coexisting in confined spaces when food is adequate.
Similar Taxa
- Sosippus californicusOverlaps in geographic range and web-building ; S. californicus occurs from southern California to Arizona and south to Rica
- Sosippus floridanusShares web-building and maternal care traits; found in Florida forest hammocks
- Agelenidae (funnel-web weavers)Constructs nearly identical sheet webs with funnel retreats; distinguished by arrangement and other lycosid characteristics
More Details
Web-building in wolf spiders
The Sosippus represents an exception to the typical lycosid lifestyle of active hunting without web construction. This with agelenid spiders was documented in Brady (2007).
Parasitism record
The Sosippus texanus has been recorded as a for the mantisfly Mantispa sayi, with spider consumed by mantispid larvae. This relationship may extend to other Sosippus .