Introduction to True Spiders

[SamuraiSid]

Im hoping somebody will have a URL bookmarked on this subject, but Im also wondering how much there is to know for a layman... I've pretty much just searched some of the common name groupings (Wolf, crab, funnel web, orb weaver) and found it insightful, but I dont trust my sources.

I know there is a spider wit the common name, "Wolf Spider" but according to the interwebz, wolf spider is more a grouping of species that have a tendency to chase down prey, as opposed to purely relying on ambush tactics and webbing. Accurate?

Im just looking for something elemental- AND SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE- that I can read at leisure, and will give me more terms and phrases I can google as Im likely going to keep a few over the winter, and buy something fancy in the new year.

 

[Ciphor]

Im hoping somebody will have a URL bookmarked on this subject, but Im also wondering how much there is to know for a layman... I've pretty much just searched some of the common name groupings (Wolf, crab, funnel web, orb weaver) and found it insightful, but I dont trust my sources.

I know there is a spider wit the common name, "Wolf Spider" but according to the interwebz, wolf spider is more a grouping of species that have a tendency to chase down prey, as opposed to purely relying on ambush tactics and webbing. Accurate?

Im just looking for something elemental- AND SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE- that I can read at leisure, and will give me more terms and phrases I can google as Im likely going to keep a few over the winter, and buy something fancy in the new year.

Spiders are tough. Thats the jist of it unfortunately. If your in north america I would start with SONA (spiders of north america identification guide). This is a guide intended for IDing spiders to the family & sometimes genus level. This is a not a species specific book. It also talks a lot about the basic anatomy and webs etc. Another great book is "Biology of Spiders". This one talks a lot about the anatomy and behavior.

Both books have some outdated stuff, as biology information and taxa changes, but for the most part are pretty accurate.

Wolf Spider is the accepted scientific common name for the family Lycosidae. Lycosids (wolf spiders) are the most advanced spider on the planet, genetically, they are the top dog. They are not distinguished by how they hunt, but rather by the eye arrangement. Wolf spiders have a set of eyes that are basically on the back of their head. http://bugguide.net/node/view/84423#Lycosidae Other people may call other spiders wolf spiders, hell, I can call a ford a honda if I want, but it doesnt make it true or accurate. Just an FYI too. Some wolf spiders prowl for food, some dig burrows and wait, some make funnel webs and trap. The one thing you will learn is how diverse spiders are.

 

[SamuraiSid]

Thanks Ciphor,

thats exactly the info Im looking for. I do have a Field Guide to insects and arachnids, but the info comes off vague and generalized. Ill have to pick up the spider specific one.

Also, thats pretty neat about the Wolf Spider, Im really happy I asked, because, being the resident bug "expert", I've already given two people very wrong information. LOL. Ill have to correct that.

Thanks again.

 

[John Apple]

believe it or not....even in this day and age .....your local public library does have some neet books [outdated as ciphor said...but correct ] hell I can remember when Achaearanea was Achraearanea...not parasteatoda
A lot has changed including range maps [bad humans..lol] but you will for a layman find some pretty darned good 'documented' info....where in the internet there is usually one one correct line of info....the trick is picking out the right line so to speak.....
There are a lot of good folk on the boards also [ciphor comes to mind] and we wont stear ya wrong....some of us are just a lil more old school than others....;]

 

[SamuraiSid]

Thats appreciated, John. Im not sure how often the search police check the True Spider forum, and Id like to stay off their radar

 

[The Snark]

Ciphor, you could expand that a bit. As in spiders emulate (or replicate) the hunting techniques of virtually every other predator on the planet, inclusive of 'deep sea' diving. The lycosids are by far the most versatile of the spiders, ranging from pounce and munch to wrapping the prey up for later to ambush mode similar to trap door spiders using available leaf litter for a hide to cheetah like pursuits and so on, ...along with having adorably cute expressions.