Systematics of Hypochilus sheari and Hypochilus coylei, Two Southern Appalachian Lampshade Spiders (Araneae, Hypochilidae)
Huff RP and Coyle FA. 1992. Systematics of Hypochilus sheari and Hypochilus coylei, Two Southern Appalachian Lampshade Spiders (Araneae, Hypochilidae). Journal of Arachnology. 20(1):40-46
ABSTRACT: quantitative analysis of variation of genital characters among 16 population samples supports Platnick's (Forster et al. 1987) hypothesis that Hypochilus sheari Platnick and Hypochilus coylei Platnick separate species. Both the width and tip length of the conductor separate these species unambiguously, and index of spermathecal dimensions distinguishes the otherwise very similar females of each species. A conductor tip synapomorphy indicates that these are probably sister species. Extensive field work indicates that these species are confined to a 35 mile north-south mountain corridor in six counties of western North Carolina and are separated by five miles. It is suggested that subtle deficits in habitat due to a constriction of the mountain corridor and the presence of a watershed divide may have bisected the parent stock and may be maintaining the allopatry of the daughter species. Both species appear to have a two year life cycle and commonly to on gryllacridid crickets and cursorial spiders.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Huff, Ronald; Coyle, Frederick
- Units
- BLRI
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Araneae, BLRI, Blue Ridge Parkway, Hypochilidae, Hypochilus sheari, lampshade spiders, SER, Southeast Region, taxonomy