Bassaniana
Strand, 1928
bark crab spiders
Species Guides
3- Bassaniana floridana
- Bassaniana utahensis(Utah Crab Spider)
- Bassaniana versicolor(Multicolored Bark Crab Spider)
Bassaniana is a of crab spiders ( Thomisidae) first described by Embrik Strand in 1928. Commonly called bark crab spiders, the genus contains seven distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus was established to accommodate species previously placed in Coriarachne, particularly the type species Bassaniana versicolor. Species in this genus are primarily found in forested and are associated with tree bark.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Bassaniana: //ˌbæsæˈniːənə//
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Identification
Distinguished from similar crab spider by genitalic , particularly male palpal structure. The type Bassaniana versicolor and related species were transferred from Coriarachne based on distinct arrangements in the male copulatory organ. Specific diagnostic characters include details of the tibial and tegulum shape, which vary among species.
Images
Habitat
Forest , particularly associated with trees and shrubs. Bassaniana birudis was collected from mixed forest in hilly terrain near river tributaries, between shrubs. Other occur in wooded environments across temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.
Distribution
Europe (Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania), Asia (Russia Far East, China, Korea, Japan), and North America (USA, Canada). Seven currently recognized as of November 2021.
Behavior
Crab spiders in this are sit-and-wait that ambush prey. Bassaniana birudis was collected using sweep netting between shrubs, suggesting vegetation-dwelling habits. The 'bark crab spiders' indicates association with tree bark substrates.
Similar Taxa
- CoriarachneHistorically confused with Bassaniana; now in Bassaniana were originally described in Coriarachne. Separated based on genitalic , particularly male palpal structure.
- XysticusAnother large of ground and vegetation-dwelling crab spiders with similar body form; distinguished by arrangement and genitalic characters.
- OxyptilaRelated thomisid with similar preferences; separated by morphological details of the and genitalia.
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was established by Strand in 1928 to accommodate Coriarachne versicolor Keyserling, 1880. Several have been transferred into synonymy, including B. aemula (= B. versicolor), B. albomaculatus (= B. baudueri), B. japonicus (= B. decorata), B. pichoni (= B. decorata), and B. typica (= B. decorata).
Recent species description
Bassaniana birudis was described in 2021 from South Korea, bringing the to seven . It is known only from two male specimens; females remain undescribed.