Identify spider please
- Thread starter GG11390
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I'm guessing it was found in Malta. It's a mature male Nemesia sp. (Nemesiidae), and the only mygalomorph in Malta is Nemesia arboricola (an endemic species of yours).
Thanks a lot for the information, it really looked like a young tarantula. I found a trapdoor spider afterwards in Malta also, and it did not look anything like this, as you can see from the pictures. Could this last one be a purseweb spider?
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That is most probably the female of the same species, as it's definitely a Nemesiidae (fovea recurved).
N. macrocephala is also a nemesiid that's found in Malta, according to Platnick. Remember that N. arboricola is supposedly arboreal, but I guess it's possible they also make burrows in the ground. And there's always the chance that it's a species previously not known from there or that it's undescribed.
A definite ID is not possible from those pictures IMO.
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Agree with you there. Indeed, most of the times, you cant ID from photos, but for the sake of forums you gotta say some names . What is sure, IMO, is that it's a Nemesiidae.
Didnt know about that second species. My bad i only checked the European Checklist, and not the more reliable Spider Catalog.
I got to say the name (N. arboricola) got me thinking, but you can never really be too sure about the ecological validity of latin names. It also looks like to be a poorly studied species.
I guess the conclusion is Nemesiidae, most probably Nemesia sp.
. What is sure, IMO, is that it's a Nemesiidae.Didnt know about that second species. My bad i only checked the European Checklist, and not the more reliable Spider Catalog
.I got to say the name (N. arboricola) got me thinking, but you can never really be too sure about the ecological validity of latin names. It also looks like to be a poorly studied species.
I guess the conclusion is Nemesiidae, most probably Nemesia sp.
In this case, the description seems convincing enough and suggests that more than one specimen was observed:
"The most remarkable feature connected with it, however, is the habit of constructing its dwelling on the trunks of trees instead of burrowing in the ground like the species of the genus hitherto discovered. The nest much resembles that of Moggridgea and other allied genera. It consists of a subcylindrical silk tube, stiffened and concealed with chips of bark and other debris. The largest measures 52 millim. in length and 15 in width. The shape of the tube, however, is not constant. The door is fairly thick and strong, somewhat bevelled towards the margin, and fits into the orifice when closed. One of the nests contained the carcase of a fly and the leg of a bee belonging, as I learn from Col. Bingham, to a male of the genus Anthophora."
It's not outside the realm of possibility, mature males and females of the same species can look quite different.
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Well that sounds pretty convincing. I guess either its not strictly arboreal, or it is and these specimens (at least the female) are possibly N. macrocephala (or another species, who knows). Got access to the description of the latter species?
N. arboricola Pocock, 1903 --> http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/19367772
N. macrocephala Ausserer, 1871 --> http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16425461
To clear this up, I found the supposedly female N.arboricola (black, hairy one) standing still on a wall at night near a rocky beach and not near any kind of nest. I took it to my vivarium with deep soil to observe its behaviour and gave it different types of insects etc. but it weakened and died few days later. I later found the trapdoor at ground level on the edge of a cliff having soft soil and upon disturbing the door, the spider came to close it and I took a few pictures. This trapdoor is classified as N.arboricola in Malta as I found on a local website even thou its not always arboreal, the real problem is the first spider but if you're sure its a nemesia too, we're close...
the picture is one I found on a local website stating its N.arboricola
the picture is one I found on a local website stating its N.arboricola
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the website is this :http://www.maltawildplants.com/!gfx...p?species=Nemesia arboricola&ext=&type=Female
As you can see the one on the website is darker than the one I found and its stating its a female, but they are very similar. I am referring to the one I found in the trapdoor, the one having a light maroon abdomen, shown above.
As you can see the one on the website is darker than the one I found and its stating its a female, but they are very similar. I am referring to the one I found in the trapdoor, the one having a light maroon abdomen, shown above.