Sphodros

Walckenaer, 1835

purseweb spiders

Species Guides

Sphodros abboti(purseweb spider)
Sphodros atlanticus(Atlantic Purseweb Spider)
Sphodros fitchi
Sphodros niger(Black purse-web spider)
Sphodros paisano
Sphodros rufipes(Red-legged Purseweb Spider)

Sphodros is a of mygalomorph spiders in the Atypidae, native to North America. The genus was reinstated in 1980 after being treated as a synonym of Atypus for over a century. Seven are recognized, distributed across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These spiders are known for constructing distinctive purse-shaped webs attached to tree trunks and root systems.

Sphodros by (c) Jon Hoekstra, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Sphodros abboti by no rights reserved, uploaded by Lyn Roueche. Used under a CC0 license.

Sphodros niger by (c) Robert M Hallock, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Robert M Hallock. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sphodros: //ˈsfɒd.rəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Sphodros possess large, forward-projecting and exhibit dark coloration ranging from black to dark reddish-brown. Legs are relatively short and stubby, colored brown to black. These features distinguish them from other Atypidae, though species-level identification requires examination of genitalia and other morphological details.

Images

Habitat

occupy dry sandy or rocky woodland areas. Pursewebs are constructed at the base of trees and shrubs, with silk tubes attached to trunks and root systems serving as both retreat and prey capture structure.

Distribution

Eastern and central North America, with ranging from Canada through the United States to Mexico. Sphodros niger occurs in the northeastern United States and Canada; S. atlanticus is widespread in the eastern and central United States; S. rufipes is found in the southeastern United States; S. abboti is restricted to southern Georgia and northern Florida; S. coylei occurs in South Carolina and Virginia; S. fitchi ranges through the central United States (Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa); and S. paisano is found in southeastern Texas and Mexico.

Seasonality

Males wander in search of females during summer months, primarily June through August. Spiderlings disperse during suitable periods via phoretic transport.

Host Associations

Passalidae - phoretic Spiderlings attach to bess beetles for

Life Cycle

Spiderlings disperse via phoretic attachment to beetles. Males mature and leave their pursewebs to wander in search of females during summer. Females remain within their pursewebs throughout their lives.

Behavior

Constructs purse-shaped silk tubes attached to woody substrates. Spiderlings exhibit phoretic , attaching to beetles for transport. males display wandering behavior during breeding season, leaving their webs to locate females.

Human Relevance

Sphodros niger is ranked as vulnerable in Virginia, reflecting conservation concern for this poorly-documented . The cryptic nature and specificity of these spiders make them difficult to detect, contributing to their status as data-deficient .

Similar Taxa

AtypusSphodros was historically treated as a synonym of Atypus; separated in 1980 based on morphological differences. Atypus occur primarily in Eurasia, while Sphodros is restricted to North America.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described by Walckenaer in 1835, Sphodros was treated as a synonym of Atypus until 1980, when Gertsch and Platnick reinstated it as a valid based on distinct morphological characteristics.

Conservation status

Sphodros niger is listed as vulnerable in Virginia. The as a whole is considered poorly-documented, with distribution models for S. niger representing the first predictive efforts for any in the genus.