Login
Register
Comments & ID Thoughts
It was collected from a dead prunis tree branch. It is a Crab spider and I think it is a member of the Bassaniana genus because on profile it has a rather flat carapace (Unlike Xysticus where the carapace is higher towards the front). To my knowledge there are 2 species to contend with in Ontario: B. utahensis and B. versicolor. These spiders can be known by the common name as the Bark Crab Spider. Not sure if there is a way to tell between the 2 species mentioned above. This is one of 3 photos submitted of this spider (3 of 3). See also images #4714 and #4716
- Submitted by:
- Submitted: Jan 29, 2018
- Photographed: Apr 26, 2017
- Spider: Bassaniana utahensis (Utah Crab Spider)
- Maturity:Adult
- Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Spotted Outdoors: High foliage (includes trees and tree trunks)
- Found in web?: No
- Attributes: Eyes
Mar 17, 2019
Mar 16, 2019
Lillooet , 
I can now say with confidence that this is Bassaniana utahensis. The main reason I can say this is because I submitted this specimen for further identification (because of the possibility of using it in a book project). Dr Gergin Blagoev, PHD, Research Associate and Taxonomic Lead at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph was able to make the identification from a microscopic analysis of its genitalia.
Wonderful. This is a mature female then?
Of interest on the spreadsheet I received back from Dr Blagoev he had it still listed as an Immature. He is part of the BOLDSystems (Barcode Of Life Data Systems – see: http://www.barcodinglife.org) where the plan was to get the “DNA barcode” of all the immatures that were submitted to confirm species for this jurisdiction. I will try to find out if this one was identified by its DNA or by its genitalia…
OK, that is interesting!