xt71c53f0p43 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt71c53f0p43/data/mets.xml Alabama Alabama Museum of Natural History 1946 Other titles include: Alabama Museum of Natural History museum paper, Geological Survey of Alabama, Museum of the Geological Survey of Alabama. Other creators include: United States. Work Projects Administration, Geological Survey of Alabama, Tennessee Valley Authority. Issues for 1, 3 carry no series numbering. No. 2 also as Education papers no. 1. UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Program libraries. Call number  AS36 .A2. journals  English University, Ala. : Alabama Museum of Natural History, 1910-1960 This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Alabama Works Progress Administration Publications Museum Paper, no. 22, 1946 - including "The Theridiidae or Comb-Footed Spiders of Alabama" by Allan F. Archer text Museum Paper, no. 22, 1946 - including "The Theridiidae or Comb-Footed Spiders of Alabama" by Allan F. Archer 1946 1946 2015 true xt71c53f0p43 section xt71c53f0p43 Q 7/7 { ( {F  iv: , . T »· ·   . I.`- _I../  
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. ' ,g‘~   GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA i
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»·"/ ,}Q‘r;‘ WALTER B. JONES, State Geologist  
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’   5 MUSEUM PAPER?22  
  ALABAMA Museum or NATURAL HISTORY  
—   THE THERIDIIDAE OR COMB·FOOTED SPIDERS OF _  
  _ ALABAMA, $;,i;,{jI1; J__;_;_.~ A: .V_,     air ·  
  by  
V A   ALLAN F. ARCHER   _
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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA  
WALTER B. JONES, State Geologist  
MUSEUM PAPER 22  
ALABAMA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY  
THE THERIDIIDAE OR COMB-FOOTED SPIDERS OF  
ALABAMA  
 
by  
ALLAN F. ARCHER  
. URVE .  
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` UNIVERSITY, ALABAMA j
I 9 4 6   n

 A
¢
  INTROD
  Zoog
  Ecol
  Ecol
  ` SYSTEM
  Gem
  The
  sum
  _ Subi
  ' MUSEUM PAPER NO. 22 Subi
  ALABAMA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
if VVALKER PRINTING CO. Subj
  Printers and Stationers
  Montgomery, Ala. Subj
; · 1947
  sum
  INDEX
 
€

 TABLE OF CONTENTS  
INTRODUCTION 7  7 7 7 ,,,,, 7 ,,,,,,,,,,,_,,,,,,__, 77 ___,,,,,,,,_,__,,,,__,_,,,,,,,_,,,,_,,_,,,, 5  
Zoogeography and distribution ,,rrr,r,i 77 r,rrr, 7 rr_r,rr____r,rr,_,_rrr,rrr,,____,__,rrrr,r 77  7  
Ecology ,,,_,_ 7 ,,,,, 7 ,,,,_,,,,_, 7 ,_,,,,,_____,,,_______,_____________________________, 7 _____________ 7 ____,___,_ 8  
Ecological communities in southern Florida __,,, 7 _77_7 7 7777 7 _777777 7 77777_7   14  
SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE 7 ooor 7 ,oo7_77roo   7 7 77777777 7 777777777__7777777_7777 7 _7_7_7_7_7 15  
General discussion   7777. 7 77777r 7 777777777777777777777777 7 7777777777777777_777777777777_7777777777 15  
The Theridiidae 777777777777777,77777 77 77777r77 7 77777r77   777777777777777777777777777777 7 7777777777777 17   V
Subfamily Asageninae _777_777__7_7777_77_77777777____77777777____77_ 7 777777777777777777777_77__77 7 7777 18  
Subfamily Latrodectinae 777777i77_777777777_7777771777777777777A777777777777777777777 _ 777777777 7722  
Subfamily Argyrodinae 777777777__7777777777777777777 7 7777777777__7777777777__ 7 7777777777777777777777 25  
Subfamily Theridiinae   _7777_7__7777777777777777 7 7777777777777   77 777777777_ 7 7_777 7 77_777 7 30  
Subfamily Theonoinae 77777_777777777777777777 7 _7777777777777777 7 777777777777777777777_7777 _ 7777777 56  
Subfamlly Pholcommatinae   777777777_77777777 7 777777777__77777 _ 7777_7777777 7   57  
INDEX 7 7 7 7777   77 777777777777777 7 77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777____ 7 7777 62  

 . .. v'-r- ~ »» . . . . T A~Mié \  f ` rm
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
This p
loguing the
University, Alabama dertcken h
b is so obsci
Decem er 6, 1946 fields Of ZG
extremely e
Honorable Chauncey Sparks, cmd rmmn
Governor ot Alabama, $Pld€"' ll-¤l
(Theridion
Montgomery, Alabama. cngulosu)
` portance in
Sir: im
portance
make webs
l have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of li w the housew
port entitled "The Theridiidae or Comb-footed Spiders of Alaba tic Glso lnV¤€l€‘
by Allan F. Archer. It is requested that this be printed as Mum | Wish
Paper 22 ot The Geological Survey of Alabama. for his kind
work could
Respectfully, lh€_Al¤b¤m
tunity for tc
studies all <
WALTER B. JONES,
seum of Na
State Geologist. llfYl"‘9 VSVY
and in the s
the United S
to thank M
Zoology, Hc
to Dr. Jones
the collectin
the state.
The The
by the tact

 v E.
’ THE THERIDIIDAE OR COMB-FOOTED SPIDERS CX:  
ALABAMA .
by  
ALLAN F. ARCHER  
INTRODUCTION  
This paper is intended as a contribution to the work of cata-  
loguing the fauna and flora of Alabama. The family of spiders un-  
dertaken here is fairly large, but with some outstanding exceptions  
is so obscure as to escape notice of those collectors engaged in   V
fields of zoology other than arachnology. The reason for this is the  
extremely small size of most of the species as well as their modest  
and retiring habits. The exceptions to this are the black widow  
spider (Latrodectus mactans) and the house or cobweb spiders  
(Theridion tepidariorum, Ticlarren sisyphoides, and Teutana tri-  
ungulosa). The first one has a notorious reputation, and is of im-  
portance in medical entomology and at the same time not devoid of i
importance from an economic standpoint, while the others mentioned L
make webs in and around houses, that constitute an annoyance to  
the housewife. Although many very small species of Theridiidae  
also invade houses, they are seldom noticed.  
I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Dr. Walter B. Jones  
for his kindness in extending research facilities to myself so that this  
work could be prosecuted and finally published. I am indebted to J  
the Alabama Department of Conservation for furnishing the oppor-  
tunity for taking specimens and field data while pursuing ecological  
studies all over the state. Dr. W. J. Gertsch of the American Mu-  
seum of Natural History, New York, rendered invaluable aid in iden-  
tifying very many species, in checking up on my own identifications,  
and in the sending of many valuable lots of specimens from all over  
the United States and Mexico for comparative purposes. I also want  
to thank Miss Elizabeth B. Bryant of the Museum of Comparative i
Zoology, Harvard University, for various helps. My gratitude goes  
to Dr. Jones and to Mr. Barney Henson of Huntsville, Alabama, for  
the collecting and donation of specimens from the northern part of
the state.  
The Theridiidae are distinguished from related families of spiders j ··
by the fact that they have a "comb" on the tarsi (terminal segment)  

  
6 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA THE
of the fourth legs, and hence are called comb-footed spiders. Tte jmpcrmn.
second character is the convergence of the maxillae over the labiz rr Lcugsgcmu
(lip). The chelicerae (jaws) lack a lateral condyle, and in the ma¤es
the palpus lacks a paracymbium (usually present in allied famili€ CO rel exotic origin, Teutana grossa and T. triangulosa. Both species are  
3 jypi Cj of tropical or subtropical affinities. The first species appears to have  
been introduced recently, while the second one is known to have been Q
1 Or lag; present and established in Alabama as far back as the time when  
Lldrjd lljzlj Nicholas Hentz was working there (l834 and later).  
cl wl 0:5 _ _ _  
j l. North Alabama. This region corresponds roughly with the g
lllm llj: Sedimentary Highlands described in Museum Paper l4, page 9, but  
ily Sn G also takes in that part of the western strip of the Coastal Plain that `
extends north of a line running through Carrollton and Tuscaloosa. `
OUS, ml The only Theridiidae known to be confined to the northern area are  
nall ll? Emertonella emertoni, Theridion dulcineum, and T. rupicola. The  
s. It he area involved is designated by the symbol N under the section called  
scie; tit`: Ecology.  
( w`:l0v~ ‘ j
po (*l€l# 2. South Alabama. This area comprises that part of the  
(Ru.si¤‘ Coastal Plain (Museum Paper l4, page 9) that lies south of the junc—  
s arwn; tion of the Tallapoosa and Alabama rivers in the eastern part of the  
state and below the junction of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee  
rivers in the west. Theridiidae which seem to be confined to this  
json GM area are in some instances of tropical affinities, and are recorded  
_ bukj; from Texas and Florida. These are Chrysso clavisi, Coleosoma  
B GL jw flavipes, Conopistha globosa, Dipoena buccalis, D. lineatipes, Stem-   ‘
On. jj, mops bicolor, Theridion hobbsi, T. chinda, T. realisticum, T. serenoae,  
WU jr Teutana grossa, Tidarren minor. This area is called S under Ecology.  
Y   Wcj 3. Central and South Alabama. The central area comprises I
lurllgjcv the remaining part ofthe state, and includes that part of the Crystal-
°d'   line Highlands (Museum Paper l4, page 9) called the Piedmont (ex- i
’ hill? ll cept for the southeastern tip). When the southern part of the state V-
lore ll is considered in conjunction with it, there are some species that oc- Z
cur in common in the two areas, but which are missing in the north- li I-

 ?
.3
 
8 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY   HWY V Wg THE TI,
ern port of Alobomo. These species ore Coleosomq floridumm, 3- NI
Theridion umputcitum, T. circudicum, T. ccitupetroeum, T. dividurm.
The symbol used for this oreo is SC. c°le°S
Conop
Conop
4. Centrcsl cmd North Alubomci. In considering these two ¤r;¤; Conop
in corjunciion with eczch other we hcive two species confined to thi rr, conop
Theridion punctospcirsum ond T. redemptum. ln the cose of the secn nd Rhomp
species it should be noted thot it occurs in southerly regions in stcte; Spinfht
lying west of Alobomo. The symbol for this oreo is NC.
4. Po
The number of species token from the counties vciries consic er C _
obly. The lczrge counties in centrol ond south Alcibcimo, thot hiive TEQSS;
been most heovily collected yielded the loirgest lists of Theridiidae.
Tuscolooso County tops the list with 26 species. Mobile ond Bold vi·
counties ore rich collecting oreos, cmd eoch of them yielded 2i
species. Houston ond Montgomery counties gcive 2O species ond li 5- B€'
species respectively. In the northern port of Alobomo Modisot Lmrode
County furnished 20 species, while Morgon County furnished li Theridil
species.
6. Sto
Ecology. The Theridiidue occupy ci wide voriety of hcibitots, mc s€n.u|¤,¤)_
indeed ore found not only ot seo level, but olso occur ot high il:}
tudes within the stote. The treotment of plont-cinimol commun iiéi A¤€'°Si
is very similor to thot used in Museum Poper T4. Since some species Cl“'Y$$°
ore not universolly present in the hobitots described, the foll0»¤i¤§ c°l€°S°
symbols ore used to quolify the geogrctphiccil limitcitions of tiési C°n°plE
species: S — south Alobomo, SC — south ond centrol Alobomo, ‘l · Henlzle
north Alobomo, NC — north ond centrol Alobomo.
Hvomc communities 7· F'°‘
l. £oltM¤rshes. Cormpls
Dipoenc
`lheridulu ventilluns Episinus
2. Evergreen Swomps (cypress, tupelo—fluviotile). Rhomph
Conopistho nephiloe Theridion fluvonototum
. _ _ _ 8. Slcis
Conopisthcx rufu Theridion lyricum
Episinus omoenus Theridion pennsylvcmicum c°"°plE
< Hentziectypus globosus Tidcirren sisyphoides Hemzlm
. Rhomphueu I¤cert¤ Ulescmis omericunus Th€rldl°
Spinthorus fluvidus · Tl"€"l°ll°
t
i;
Z

 E"  
Wgi THE THERIDIIDAE OR COMB-FOOTED SPIDERS OF ALABAMA 9  
id¤¤L m· 3, Non-aIIuviaI Swamps (bay, black gum). `
vidu1·m. _
COIe0som¤ fI¤vip<-as (S) Theridion fluvonotatum I
Conopistha globosa (S) Theridion gluucescens §
Conopisthu nephilcse Theridion pictipes  
V0 ¤Vi¤$ Conopistha purtitu Theridion fepidariorum  
T0 tI¤< ITT Conopisthu rufa Theridulu ventillans j
9 S€C< FI? Rhomphueu Iacerta Tidarren sisyphoides  
In stctée Spintharus flavidus UIes¤nis umericanus  
4. Palmetto Swamps.  
ITIS; BIA Conopisthu nephilue Hentziectypus globosus  
I I V5 ·
9 .. I Theridion flavonotutum Tidarren sisyphoides E
ridiidae. {
Bald vi‘  
Ided 2i EROSION COMMUNITIES E
Gnd 1; 5. Beaches (saw palmetto and ground plants).  
M¤dI$O' Lutrodectus mactans Hentziectypus globosus  
ihed I: Theridion glaucescens Theridion serenoae (S) ‘
6. Stationary Dunes (Quercus myrtifolia, Q. geminuta, Serenoa  
¤I$· mc serrulata).  
' In 1II$·  
fum mi Anelosimus textrix Theridion fluvonotatum  
_ speci.; Chrysso dcnvisi (S) Theridion glaucescens E
DIIOMW Colecsomu floridcmum (SC) Theridion serenoae (S) Y
af NES; Conopistha partitci  
ncl J _ Hentziectypus glcbosus  
MESIC COMMUNITIES  
7. FIood-plain Woods.  
Conopisthcu partita Theridion giaucescens  
Dipoena nigru Theridula ventiII¤ns  
Episinus amoenus Tidarren sisyphoides Q
Rhomphaea Iucertu Ulesanis americanus  
8. SIash-pine Woods (with palmettoes and tyty). I
Conopisthu partita Theridion glaucescens  
Hentziectypus globosus Theridion serenoae (S) _
Theridion differens Tidarren minor (S) I ·
. Theridion fluvonotatum Tidarren sisyphoides   N

   I
J I
3 I `IO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA THE ‘
    TRANSITIONAL FROM MESIC TO XERIC COMMUNITIES |-{Bm;
    9. Live-ook Hommock Woods (Museum Pciper T8, p. 6). I·lll’\Y|
    Anelosimus textrix Lutrodectus muctuns :::3d.Q
  i Chrysso d¤visi (S) Puidiscu murxi , Spiml
  Q Coleosomu fluvipes (S) Spinthurus flcividus
  l Coleosomu floridunum (SC) Theridion umpututum (SC)
  I Conopisthcs globosu (S) Theridion fluvonciutum l2'
  I Conopisihu nephilue Theridion gluucescens $°Ull‘W€‘5*
  I Conopisthu pcsrtitu Theridion Iyricum Anglo
{ I Ccnopisthu rufu Theridion pictlpes Chr S
    Crusrulinu ulteru Theridion serenoue (S) COI;)
    Dipoenu bucculis (S) Theridulcs ventilluns Com)!
i.   Dipoenu lineutipes (S) Tidorren minor (S) Conor
    Dipoenu nigru Tidurren sisyphoides Conor
[   Episinus umoenus Ulesunis umericunus c°n°F
  Q Heniziectypus globosus Dipoe
    i Dipoe
    `IO. Flot Woods (Pinus echinutu, Quercus stelluiu). Episin
    Conopisthu pcirtitu Lutrodecius muctuns EEE?
  ”   Conopisthu rufu Theridion campututum (SC) ul ls
    Crusiulinci cnlteru Theridion fluvonotutum
    Dipoenu bucculis (S) Theridulo ventillcms
  `   Dipoenu nigro Tidurren sisyphoides
  { Episinus umoenus ]3_ [
  ‘ Hentziectypus globosus |¤ur;f°|;¤, l
  E Gulf Coos?)
    `II. Rcivines, Bluffs, ond Hordwoocl slopes (northern, c nlr Anelos
  i ond southern region exclusive of the southwest—Museum P¤p·r Conop
    p. I2). concp
    Anelosimus textrix Theridion ulbiclum C°"°PI
f   Coleosomcn fluvipes (S) Theridion cutupetrueum (SC)
    Conopisthu globosu (S) Theridion dlf‘f€l'9¤S '|4_ LJ
  li Conopisthcs nephilue Theridion dulcineum
    Conopisthu purtitu Theridion fluvonotuium A"€l°S
  il Conopisthu rufq Theridion frondeum C°"°Pl
    Crusiulinu ulteru Theridion gluucescens c°"°Pl
g   Dipoenu nigru Theridion Iyricum E"°P'¤i
    Emertonellu emerioni (N) Theridion pennsylvunicum (N
1   Episinus umoenus Theridion punctospursum (Nil) He_mzl°
    Euryopis limb¤1·¤ Theridion reulisticum (S) Spmlhc
if  
..L~ I

 §‘ ~j`
THE THERIDIIDAE OR COMB-FOOTED SPIDERS OF ALABAMA II I
IES Hentziectypus globosus Theridion redemptum (NC) `
,)_ Lithyphantes fulvus Theridion rupicola (N) E
Pcidisca marxi Theridula ventillans  
Rhomphaea lacerta Tidarren sisyphoides  
Spinthurus fluvidus Ulesanis americanus  
l) I2. Lime-hill Hardwood Forests (slopes, ravines, and bluffs,  
southwest Alabama).  
Anelosimus textrix Spintharus flavidus  
Chrysso davisi (S) Stemmops bicolor (S)  
Coleosoma flavipes (S) Theridion amputatum (SC)  
Conopistha globosu (S) Theridion catapetraeum (SC)  
Ccnopistha nephilae Theridion flavonctatum  
Conopisthcz partitu Theridion glaucescens  
Conopistha rufa Theridion Iyricum  
Dipoenu crassiventris (S) Theridion pictipes E
` Dipoena nigru Theridula ventillans  
Episinus amoenus Tidarren minor (S)  
Hentziectypus globosus Tidarren sisyphoides
_) Puiclisca marxi Ulesanis americunus  
XERIC COMMUNITIES  
I3. Dry Sandy Hammocks (Quercus stellata, Q. cinerea, Q.  
Iuurifoliu, Pinus elliotti, Magnolia grandifloru, Serenoci serrulatcx —  
Gulf Coast).  
nl C‘YIl° Anelosimus textrix Conopistha rufa  
PC'P‘ I i' Conopisthcs globosa (S) Hentziectypus globosus  
Conopistha nephilae Theridion serencae (S)  
Conopistha purtita Ulesanis americanus  
  
I4. Upland Woods (oak-pine and oak-hickory).  
Anelosimus textrix Theridion catapetraeum (SC)  
Conopisthu purtita Theridion differens  
Conopistha rufcs Theridula ventillcuns —
Enoplognutlncx marmorata Tidurren sisyphoides  
(NC) Ulesanis americanus  
nNC_ Hentziectypus globosus _  
( A Spinthcxrus fluvidus   "

  
A 5
 
T2 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA THE T
T5. Longleat-pine Woods.
Conopistha nephilae Theridicn mururium 20- ‘
Theridion fluvonotatum Theridulu ventilluns Cono;
Theridion glaucescens Ulesanis americunus Cano;
Euryol
T6. Cedar Roughs. 2T. `
Anelosimus textrix Theridion glaucescens Conop
Hentziectypus globosus Theridion punctospursum (NC> 'lonop
Lutrodectus mactuns Theridula sphaerula Crustu
Paidiscu marxi Therid
Therid
T7. Prairies. 22. F
Theridion umputatum (SC) Theridion glaucescens C°"°P
Theridion austrule Theridion expulsum { C°“°P
Theridion dividuum (SC) Theridulu ventillans Hentzi
Latrod
Rhomp
LOWER MONTANE ZONE Theridi
Therid.
T8. Mountains (between T3OO and 2TOO feet eIevation— hc Theridi
wood vegetation characterized by chestnut oak, tulip poplar, [ee:
maple, hickory). 23_ T:
Asagena americana Theridion differens L¤"°d*
Conopistha nephilue Theridion flavonotatum Theridi
Conopisthu rufa Theridion glaucescens Th€"TdT
Dipoena nigra Theridicn punctosparsum (N(
Latrodectus mactans Theridion rupicola 24 U
Puidisca marxi Theridion tepidcsriorum A"€l°$
Spintharus flavidus Theridula ventillans C°l€°S‘
Theridion albidum Tidarren sisyphcides c°l€°$‘
Ccnopi
Conopi
CAVERNS Hentzie
T9. Caves (entrance and interior regions) Lqlrode
‘ Paidisct
Concpistha partita Theridion rupicolc (N) Teumm
Conopistha rufa Theridion tepidariorum Teumm
Hentziectypus globosus Tidarren sisyphoides Therldll
Theridion redemptum (NC) . Therldll
 

 THE THERIDIIDAE OR COMB-FOOTED SPIDERS OF ALABAMA l3 .
ARTIFICIAL COMMUNITIES ‘
20. Old—field Pine.  
Conopistha nephilue Latrodectus mactans  
Conopisthu rufa Theridula ventillans  
Euryopis limbata Tidarren sisyphoides  
2`I. Thickets (field borders, orchards, gullies, dry stream beds).  
Conopistha nephilae Theridion flavonotatum  
n (NC· 'lonopistha rufa Theridion glaucescens  
Crustulina altero Theridula ventillcsns  
Theridion alabamense Tidurren sisyphoides  
Theridion clifferens  
22. Fields and Roadsides.  
Conopistha nephilae Theridion dividuum (SC)  
Conopistha rufa Theridion flavonotatum  
{ Hentziectypus globosus Theridion glaucescens  
Latrodectus muctuns Theridion Iyricum  
Rhomphaeu Iacerta Theridion redemptum (NC)
Theridion arcadicum (SC) Theridion rupicola (N)  
_ Theridion catapetrueum (SC) Theridion tepidariorum  
Tor? ;C Theridion differens Thericlula ventillans  
»¤I', . Ei {
23. Farmyards.  
Latrcdectus mactans Theridion punctcsparsum (NC)  
Theridion urcadicum (SC) Theridion tepidariorum  
Theridion Iyricum  
1 (N(  
24. Urban (gardens, vacant lots, cemeteries).  
Anelosimus textrix Theridion catapetraeum (SC)  
Coleoscma flavipes (S) Theridion chinda (S)  
Coleosoma floridcmum (SC) Theridion clifferens  
Conopistha partita Theridion frondeum  
Conopistha rufa Theridion glaucescens  
Hentziectypus globosus Theridion hobbsi (S)  
Latrodectus mactans Theridion Iyricum  
Paidisca marxi Theridion murarium ·
Teutana grcssa (SC) Theridion tepidariorum  
Teutanu triangulosa Theridula ventillans V
Theridion alabamense Tidarren minor (S) .  
l Theridion arcudicum   "

 §
 
14 GEOLOGICAL SURYEIQF ALABAMA \ THE T
25. Aedificarian (houses, barns, privies). Conoli
Coleosoma flavipes (S) Theridion glaucescens €°“°
Conopistha nephilae Theridion Iyricum Mecti;
Conopistha partita Thericlion murarium
Conopistha rufa Theridion tepidariorum
Latrodectus mactans Tidarren minor (S)
Teutana triangulosa Tidarren sisyphoides
Ecological communities in southern Florida. Since a great new Spimh
species occurring in southern Florida are also found in south A‘c Therid
bama, it is of some value to present lists from that part of Flc=·id~; Thergd
For a full description of the communities and localities concern acl '[hergd
is recommenclecl that Museum Paper T8, pages 6 to 9 be consulte l. Therm
l. Miami Pinelancls (Museum Paper T8, p. 7).
Conopistha nephilae Tacz. Theridion catapetraeum G. & c Tidmre
Conopistha rufa Walck. Theridion serenoae G. & A. Tidmrc
2. Palm Savannas (Museum Paper `l8, pp. 7-8).
Conopistha nephilae Tacz. Theridion serenoae G. & A.
Theridion flavonotatum Becker Tidarren sisyphoides Walck Generc
the early st
3. Low Hammocks (Museum Paper T8, p. 8). Musguml PG
superseaed
Chrysso davisi Bryant. (Sarasota) The reason
Conopistha globosa Keys. (Sarasota; Micco) naturalist n
Conopistha partita Walck. (Sarasota) W¤lCl¤€€Vm€l Thericlion serenoae G. 8. A. (Royal Palm)  
V1$Ull€l- Theridula regia G. & A. (Royal Palm) Females taken from  
ground plants growing  
on marly soil outside of  
the hammock. E
G. & i. . . E
A Ttdarren mmor C. & l. (Royal Palm) y  
` Tidarren sisyphoides Walck. (Royal Palm; Brickell) '
A SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE  
|Ck General discussion. The role which Nicholas Hentz played in  
the early studies of Alabama spiders has already been discussed in  
Museum Paper l/1, pages 7 and 8. Many of Hentz’ names were  
superseded by those proposed by a European worker, V/alckenaer.  
The reason that this happened as it did arose from the fact that a  
naturalist named John Abbot had figured, described, and sent to  
Walckenaer colored pictures of spiders that he observed in the latter  
part of the eighteenth century. Abbot’s work was done in Georgia.  
lt is for this reason that very many species which occur both in Ala-  
bama and Georgia we:e covered by Walckenaer’s descriptions. R. V.  
Chamberlin and W. Ivie in their "Spiders of the Georgia Region of  
North America* have revived many Walckenaer names after a  
careful siudy and consideration of Abbot’s illustrations. As these  
LOCC?lll€ names have priority many well known names must tall to them.  
The authors have done very well in evaluating some of Walckenaer’s I
names. However, if some of the conclusions prove to be premature, `_
there will have to be modifications of the opinions set forth in the  
Spiders of Georgia. ln this work the author has followed these .
*Bu11. Univ. Utah. 1944. 35: 1-267  

 .2
T6 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA .THE Ti
changes wherever they seemed on examination of the evidence to bi Us Gmphol
warranted. Of some importance in the completion of this work i; ]O_]2)_ Dr
the paper entitled "Descriptions of New American Theridiidae" ,i gunqm (BG
ioint paper done by Dr. Gertsch and the author, in which a gre; kmging ne,
many new species were described for Alabama and other par=s ¤· |;S1S '[|-mono
North America. Mygmgningt
the subfami
As it now stands the list of Alabama Theridiidae consists cf ji name Mysn
species. This is one of the largest, if not the largest state list tha— hc; Thecnca I
been published. It is true that the list contained in the Spiders o tl·e substituted,
Georgia Region iust referred to is given as 60 species that ha»e; COVE', Mysni
certain and sure status. However, an evaluation of this list rec uce the Theridih
it to 54 species when Florida species and other out-of-state items wwe The Combi,}
been removed, and furthermore when certain other doubtful o of Cupies The St
scure Walckenaeran species are deleted from the list. By addini— cm mughhciccm
other species not on this list, but which has been taken by the aLth0* |;p_ Since ti
the list for Georgia stands at 55. Unquestionably species coull be females fm
added to the lists of both states by further collecting. Actuall th- possible ,0
Georgia list in its present status is a remarkable one owing t»~ th it is Gppme
very careful collecting on the part of Wilton lvie and on the pcrtc COXGQI but I
Bishop and Crosby in l9`l6. The Alabama list does not show as arg- in boi}-, SEXE
a series of the following genera as does the Georgia list: Dip ·en¤ me mcie ih
Euryopis, and Lithyphantes. . This may be in part due to the fac tlti [mem] Spine
the presence of the Blue Ridge physiographic province in Gear ,i¤ first yibic, G,
sufficient to permit the occurrence af northern and high-alitw ¤pp¤i·€.m|yi
species, while on the other hand this province in Alabama is spi? finity with 1
sented by an attenuated segment of too little importance to 1llG proigciing fr
for the presence of such species. The New York list of Theridii· G6 obscure, Om
smaller than the Alabama one despite the careful attention thc¤ tif and visible t
state has received. Petrunl