What’s the deal with southwest USA Hogna?

[ReignofInvertebrates]

I’ve always been a fan of this genus. H. carolinensis is among my favorite North American species but I have a question in regards to their taxonomy. Multiple sources (mainly Bugguide.net) have told me that members of this species have an all black abdominal venter. Despite this I’ve seen many specimens that look almost identical in every other way but they lack this dark coloration underneath. Because of this, it seems many sellers are now labeling Hogna from Arizona and surrounding states as simply “Hogna sp. Arizona.” Does anyone know if this might be another species, subspecies, or if it’s just some natural variation within carolinensis?

The amount of variation of Hogna spp. in Florida also fascinates me, as seen with the link below. I’m surprised this genus hasn’t been revised yet.

Hogna-like from Florida

An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information.

bugguide.net

 

[Brewser]

I received Hogna Arizona from the Bug Cage Company a few months back .
It looks a lot like H. Carolinensis to Me.
However it was sold as Hogna Arizona"Giant Arizona Wolf Spider"
It is gettin good size on it, probably 2 1/2 to 3 inch span, and has regrown a missing leg which looks Great after 2 Molts.

 

[jbooth]

Last I saw, they were still considering those H. carolinensis, maybe people are calling them sp. Arizona now, not sure it means anything. Would like to see them side-by-side and hopefully get a chance this year. It looks like the only difference is half the abdomen is tan/reddish instead of black, probably won't be a separate species is my guess.

 

[Brewser]

Anyway it's a Beauty and always watching. Very Smart Spider. Very Inquisitive.
I'm Curious to see if it truly is a " Giant Wolf Spider " or if that is just Hype?
Hogna Genus is Excellent!

 

[jbooth]

Anyway it's a Beauty and always watching. Very Smart Spider. Very Inquisitive.
I'm Curious to see if it truly is a " Giant Wolf Spider " or if that is just Hype?
Hogna Genus is Excellent!

I'm curious how big these get as well. If it is H. carolinensis, it should be like 3.5" legspan.

Back wall of enclosure is 6"...

 

[loxoscelesfear]

asked Jerry Seinfeld if he was an arachnologist

 

[Brewser]

Yes ... Maybe Could stretch those legs to Maybe 4"
Then again Depth Perception and Optical Illusion taken into account ... I'm Probably Wrong.

 

[jbooth]

Yes ... Maybe Could stretch those legs to Maybe 4"
Then again Depth Perception and Optical Illusion taken into account ... I'm Probably Wrong.

Maybe. I've never been able to stretch the legs, but I've seen a couple of whoppers. Someone told me some even 6", would have to be gigantism I guess. If I saw that, I'd figure they opened a portal at CERN and doom3 was here...