Sosippus placidus

Brady, 1972

Lake Placid Funnel Wolf Spider

Sosippus placidus is a web-building wolf spider in the Lycosidae, to the United States. Unlike most wolf spiders, which are nomadic hunters, this constructs thick sheet-like webs with funnel-like retreats. It is described as a compared to its widespread Sosippus floridanus. The species is known from relatively few observations (31 records on iNaturalist as of source date), suggesting restricted distribution or specific habitat requirements.

Sosippus placidus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Lyn Roueche. Used under a CC0 license.Sosippus placidus 56148906 (cropped) by dee fairbanks. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Sosippus placidus 56148906 by dee fairbanks. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sosippus placidus: //soʊˈsɪpəs ˈplæsɪdəs//

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Identification

Sosippus placidus can be distinguished from the true funnelweb weavers ( Agelenidae) by its arrangement: the two eyes are large and forward-facing, underscored by a row of four much smaller eyes, with two additional posterior lateral eyes flanking the others. Agelenids have a more compact eye arrangement with eyes of relatively equal size. From its Sosippus floridanus, S. placidus can be separated by its more restricted, distribution and specialization.

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Habitat

Described as an compared to the widespread Sosippus floridanus. Specific microhabitat details beyond this comparative characterization are not documented in available sources.

Distribution

to the United States. Precise range boundaries are not well documented, but the is known from fewer observations than its widespread , suggesting more restricted occurrence.

Behavior

Constructs sheet-like webs with funnel-like retreats, unlike the nomadic hunting typical of most wolf spiders. Shares with other lycosids the trait of females tethering sacs to their until spiderlings hatch.

Similar Taxa

  • Sosippus floridanusWidespread with similar web-building and ; S. placidus is distinguished by its , associations versus the of S. floridanus
  • Agelenidae (true funnelweb weavers)Construct nearly identical sheet-and-funnel webs; distinguished by arrangement—Agelenids have compact, relatively equal-sized eyes versus the characteristic lycosid pattern of Sosippus

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