Unkown Crab Spider

[Carolina_wolfie]

Hello, everyone.

I found this tiny crab spider crawling across my computer desk last night in Tulsa, Oklahoma. So... I captured it, shot some photos of it, and released it outdoors. To give you an idea of its size, the spider is shown sitting on a toothbrush. I found it very interesting the way this spider stood up on its hind legs so it was perpendicular to the ground and constantly held out its first two pairs of legs straight across. I've seen crab spiders before, but never like this one! I would love to have it identified. Does anyone here know which species this is? Please let me know. Thanks!

I will try BugGuide later if I have no luck here.

[ErgoProxy]

I would be very tempted to say one of the Xysticus spp. most likely at that size an immature or a male.



Nice quite little key here to determine if it is Xysticus or perhaps Ozyptila, but I'm still thinking Xysticus...


http://research.amnh.org/entomology/blackrock2/families/thomisidae.htm

[Carolina_wolfie]

I sincerely appreciate your input! :)

It is great that you think it is a Xysticus spp. because this is what it has been identified as over at BugGuide. Check this out:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/204140

I would be very tempted to say one of the Xysticus spp. most likely at that size an immature or a male.



Nice quite little key here to determine if it is Xysticus or perhaps Ozyptila, but I'm still thinking Xysticus...


http://research.amnh.org/entomology/blackrock2/families/thomisidae.htm

[ErgoProxy]

No problem! :)

I'd have to dig around a bit to see what species are common in your locale. Appears like it may be a mature male, which would make the id easier, esp. if you had a "scope" (sorry for the pun...couldn't resist given what it was photographed sitting upon).


Nifty little spiders that will feed well in captivity.

[froggyman]

cool spider you found