In search of P. vadosa

After finding several scattered colonies of mercurialis, the project lost momentum and needs a jolt. The scientific literature shows some vadosa around the Rolling Plains/Edwards Plateau interface. I looked at iNaturalist observations in the area and found one definite non-mercurialis and several possibles. The definite appears to be on private land and inaccessible. My best bet seems to be the area between Menard and Llano along the San Saba and Llano Rivers. I used google maps to locate a number of access points, most of which are in those towns. Although the scientific literature says that vadosa is exceptionally pale I suspect that only refers to preserved specimens. They may look more like iNat 8513419 in real life. Based on the dorsal trochanter pattern this one is not mercurialis.

I also tabulated the number of Lycosid observations for each Texas County. Many are only in the single digits and some have zero. If you visit any of these counties, please check out rocky areas near water for Pardosa lapidicina group. They are active year round in sunny areas or when temperatures approach 80.

Meanwhile I've been accumulating good dorsal and ventral images, male and female, of the palm sized Lycosids on my property which come out after dark. They include Rabidosa rabida (of course), Hogna antelucana, and Hogna 'incognita'.

Posted on Σεπτέμβριος 24, 2021 1215 ΜΜ by eaneubauer