Meriola
Banks, 1895
Species Guides
3Meriola is a of araneomorph spiders in the Trachelidae, established by Nathan Banks in 1895. The genus contains approximately 24 distributed primarily in South America, with some species extending into North America. Several species have been introduced to the United States, notably Meriola arcifera in California and Hawaii. The genus is taxonomically distinct from a homonymous genus of crabs in the family Xanthidae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Meriola: /ˈmɛriəˌlɑ/
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Identification
Members of Meriola can be distinguished from other trachelid by genitalic characters, particularly male pedipalpal and female epigynal structures. The genus is characterized by a flattened and elongated, slender legs relative to body size. -level identification requires examination of reproductive structures and often geographic location.
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Habitat
occur in diverse terrestrial including leaf litter, under stones, and in ground debris. Meriola californica is found along the Pacific Coast and Baja California in sandy and rocky coastal environments. Several Chilean and Argentine species occupy Mediterranean-type scrub and grassland .
Distribution
Primary distribution is South America, with strong representation in Chile and Argentina. Range extends north through the Andes to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, and northward through Central America to Mexico and the eastern to midwestern United States. Meriola arcifera has established introduced in California and Hawaii.
Human Relevance
Meriola californica and introduced of Meriola arcifera occur in proximity to human habitation in California. No are known to pose medical significance to humans. The has no documented economic importance in agriculture or pest control.
Similar Taxa
- Meriola (crab genus)Homonymous of crabs in Xanthidae; distinguished by being crustaceans (Decapoda) rather than arachnids, with completely different body plan including covering and ten legs.
- Other Trachelidae generaTrachelidae contains multiple with similar ground-dwelling habits; Meriola is distinguished by specific genitalic and geographic distribution patterns in the Americas.
Misconceptions
The name Meriola has been applied to both a spider (Trachelidae, Araneae) and a crab genus (Xanthidae, Decapoda), creating persistent taxonomic confusion in databases and literature. The crab genus Meriola is distinct and unrelated; the spider genus Meriola Banks, 1895 has priority for zoological purposes.
More Details
Taxonomic History
The was established by Nathan Banks in 1895 with Meriola decepta as the type . A major revision by Platnick & Ewing in 1995 described numerous new species from Chile and Argentina, more than doubling the genus size.
Nomenclatural Note
The name is preoccupied by Meriola Dana, 1851 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Xanthidae). The spider genus Meriola Banks, 1895 is a junior homonym but has been maintained due to the different higher classification and lack of overlap in usage contexts; no replacement name has been proposed.
Species Richness
The is most diverse in the temperate regions of southern South America, with 14 of 24 described from Chile and 9 from Argentina. This concentration suggests a center of diversity in the austral temperate zone.