Ebo pepinensis

Gertsch, 1933

running crab spider

Ebo pepinensis is a of running crab spider in the Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1933. It is a small spider with a body length of 2–6 mm, characterized by its extremely elongated second pair of legs that are at least twice as long as the other legs. The species is found across the United States and southern Canada. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that prowls for prey among grasses and foliage rather than building webs to capture food.

Ebo pepinensis, female (F Philodromidae) (4131858085) by Marshal Hedin from San Diego. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ebo pepinensis: /ˈiː.boʊ pɛˈpɪ.nɛn.sɪs/

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Identification

Members of the Ebo are distinguished from other running crab spiders by their extremely elongated second pair of legs, which are at least twice the length of all other legs. This gives them the greatest 'wingspan' relative to body size of any North American spider. The body is small and flattened, averaging 2–6 mm in length. Philodromidae as a can be recognized by the laterigrade leg orientation (legs twisted at the base to extend horizontally, allowing the spider to move sideways), and specifically by having the second pair of legs longest rather than the first pair as in the related crab spider family Thomisidae.

Images

Distribution

Found in the United States and Canada. Specific Canadian provincial records include Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The Ebo reaches its greatest diversity in the southwestern United States.

Similar Taxa

TitaneboSeveral formerly placed in Ebo have been reassigned to the Titanebo, making field identification between these genera difficult without detailed examination. Both share the characteristic of elongated second legs and similar overall body form.
Other PhilodromidaeEbo is distinguished from other running crab spiders by the extreme elongation of the second leg pair. Other in the have proportionally shorter second legs.