Philodromus rodecki
Gertsch & Jellison, 1939
running crab spider
Philodromus rodecki is a of running crab spider in the Philodromidae. It occurs in the United States and Canada. As a member of the Philodromus, it shares the family's characteristic laterigrade leg orientation, allowing sideways movement. The species was described by Gertsch and Jellison in 1939.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Philodromus rodecki: /ˌfɪloʊˈdroʊməs roʊˈdɛki/
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Identification
Philodromus rodecki can be distinguished from other Philodromus by examination of genitalic structures, typically requiring microscopic analysis. Members of the Philodromus are characterized by laterigrade legs oriented horizontally, enabling sideways crab-like movement. The second pair of legs is typically the longest. Species-level identification within Philodromus generally requires detailed examination of reproductive rather than external features alone.
Distribution
United States and Canada. Specific state and provincial records are not well documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- Selenops spp. (flatties)Both are flattened, laterigrade spiders that can appear on vertical surfaces. Selenops ( Selenopidae) has six in a single row across the and legs increasingly longer from front to back, versus Philodromus with eight eyes in two rows and the second leg pair longest.
- Thomisidae (crab spiders)Both are called 'crab spiders' and have some lateral leg movement, but Thomisidae typically hold legs in a true crab-like posture with front legs enlarged and , whereas Philodromidae have more uniformly slender legs and different arrangements.