Recent Noteworthy Distribution Records for Deinopis spinosa (Marx, 1889) (Araneae: Deinopidae) In the Southeastern United States

Authors

Dirk J. Stevenson, Altamaha Environmental ConsultingFollow
Grover Brown, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Houston Chandler, Orianne SocietyFollow
Daniel D. Dye II
Christopher Garza, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Marks McWhorter, St. Andrew's Episcopal SchoolFollow
Matt Moore
Aimée Thomas, Loyola University New OrleansFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2018

Department

Biological Sciences

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

The ogre-faced spider Deinopis spinosa is the sole representative of the family Deinopidae in the US. Museum records suggest this species is restricted to the extreme southeastern US (Alabama and Florida) and Jamaica. Through nocturnal surveys and records from naturalist-oriented internet sites, we have discovered that this species is more widely distributed in the Coastal Plain region of the southeastern US. Herein, we document new state records for Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, significantly expanding the known range of the species. It is unknown whether these records represent a recent range expansion or if the spider has historically been overlooked due to its cryptic nature and habits.

Publication Title

Southeastern Naturalist

Volume

17

Issue

2

First Page

N28

Last Page

N33

Recommended Citation

Stevenson, D., Brown, G., Chandler, H., Dye, D. D., Garza, C., McWhorter, M., Moore, M., Thomas, A. (2018). Recent Noteworthy Distribution Records for Deinopis spinosa (Marx, 1889) (Araneae: Deinopidae) In the Southeastern United States. Southeastern Naturalist, 17(2), N28-N33.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18331