Bruce Cutler

Reduced predation on the antlike jumping spider Synageles occidentalis (Araneae : Salticidae)

What has been termed ant mimicry is a common behavioral and morphological feature in several spider families. On a numerical basis, most examples are known from the Clubionidae and Salticidae. Likewise all species in the small neotropical family Aphantochilidae are antlike. Excellent observations of aggressive mimicry exist for some species of antlike spiders (Curtis, 1988; Hingston, 1927; Mathew, 1954; Oliveira and Sazima, 1984, 1985); however, experimental tests of predation on antlike spiders are lacking. Intuitively, ant resemblance has a protective component because ants are often avoided by general insect predators (Edmunds, 1974). However, there may be other contributing factors to an antlike appearance. For example, the body form itself may aid in agility. Nevertheless, descriptive inferences regarding the protective nature of ant resemblance in spiders abound (Edmunds, 1978; Hingston, 1927; Jackson and Drummond, 1974; Jackson, 1986; Myers and Salt, 1926; Oliveira, 1988; Peckham and Peckham, 1892; Reiskind, 1970, 1972, 1977). Engelhardt (1970) noted the close morphological resemblance between Synageles venator (Lucas) and the associated ant Lasius niger (L.) and the lack of predation on this species of ant by Synageles. One of the major deterrents to an experimental study is the usual relative scarcity of antlike spiders in temperate areas. However, sufficient numbers of individual antlike spiders of the species Synageles occidentalis Cutler were collected to enable an experimental test of predation on this species in comparison to predation on a nonantlike salticid. Mature female S. occidentalis were collected in June by sweep netting in a mixed meadow community (disturbed open area dominated by native forbs

Taxonomic notes on Neotropical species in the genus synemosyna (Araneae: Salticidae)

Two new species, Synemosyna edwardsi and 5. maddisoni, and the previously undescribed male of 5. decipens (O. P.‐Cambridge) are described. The modified white setae (scales) in this genus are illustrated. S. americana (Peckham and Peckham) from Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama; and 5. lauretta Peckham and Peckham, and S. lucasi (Taczanowski) from Peru are recorded. A review of the proposed ant models for the genus is discussed, and the formicid genus Crematogaster is suggested as a model for Synemosyna species with swollen opisthosomae.

Middle American Synemosyna (Araneae: Salticidae), a key and description of a new species

A key and distribution map to the five Synemosyna species of Middle America (Mexico to Panama) are presented. Only S. americana is non‐endemic to this area, its range extends into South America. S. ubicki n. sp., and the previously undescribed male of S. maddisoni are described. S. ubicki is remarkable in lacking the prosomal and opisthosomal constrictions usual in this genus. These constrictions greatly contribute to the antlike appearance of those species which have them.

The purse-web spiders of Kansas (Araneae: Atypidae)

Abstract There are three purse-web spider species in Kansas, all in the genus Sphodros. Two of these species, S. niger (Hentz) and S. rufipes (Latreille), are known only from the eastern edge of the state, while the range of S. fitchi Gertsch and Platnick extends into western Kansas which is the westernmost distribution record for the family in the New World.

On a collection of antlike jumping spiders from Bolivia (Araneae: Salticidae)

Abstract Sarinda nigra Peckham and Peckham and Synemosyna myrmeciformis (Taczanowski) are recorded from Bolivia. A new species, Myrmarachne galianae, is described. All specimens are from the Mamore River region of Beni Department.

The spider genus Synemosyna in Northern Colombia (Araneae: Salticidae)

Five species of the antlike jumping spider Synemosyna were collected in northern Colombia: S. americana (Peckham and Peckham), 5. ankeli n, sp., S. aurantiaca (Mello Leitao), S. invernar n. sp. and S. lucasi (Taczanowski). A key to the species is provided.

The identity of the small, widespread, synanthropic Pholcus (Araneae, Pholcidae) species in the northeastern United States

Abstract Pholcus manueli and not P. opilionoides is the smaller of the two synanthropic Pholcus of the northeastern and midwestern United States. Figures are provided for distinguishing P. manueli from P. opilionoides, a Eurasian species sometimes confused with P. manueli.

Crossopriza lyoni (Araneae: Pholcidae), a synanthropic cellar spider newly discovered in Kansas

Abstract Populations of Crossopriza lyoni (Blackwall), a common synanthropic spider in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, were discovered at two locations in Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas. These records represent a significant northward range extension of the species in the western hemisphere and document its presence within the state.