Another ID thread

[Faing]

Okay, so this guy was given to me as a 'red leg trapdoor' a while back but I just finally got some pics of it. Heh... looks more like an Ummidia sp. to me. but I'm not as knowledgeable about true spiders. These are the best shots I think I'm gonna get. Can anybody help me out here? Greatly appreciated and thanks.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/Poison_Faing/trapdoor3.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/Poison_Faing/trapdoor2.jpg

[CodeWilster]

The pics are ok but generally speaking, proper visual identification for most trapdoor spiders is difficult without tedious shots such as those focusing on specific areas (i.e. thoracic groove types) or you would most likely be better off taking many shots from all angles possible (including the underside, revealing sigilla).

One very huge factor that would eliminate most if not all other possibilities would be an idea on where this specimen was collected (even as broad as country).

The typical "Redleg" trapdoors are usually the African Ancylotrypa spp, which yours is certainly not. However if the spider is in fact from Africa then that most likely points to family Idiopidae (therefore it is likely Idiops or Ctenolophus sp)

If it is from the states, then Ummidia sp is most likely what it is. However there are other Ctenizids from the US that it could also possibly be.

Based on those pics, that's about as good as I can do. A general idea on location would be outstanding at this point. Oh and has it made a door yet by any chance?

[Faing]

The pics are ok but generally speaking, proper visual identification for most trapdoor spiders is difficult without tedious shots such as those focusing on specific areas (i.e. thoracic groove types) or you would most likely be better off taking many shots from all angles possible (including the underside, revealing sigilla).

One very huge factor that would eliminate most if not all other possibilities would be an idea on where this specimen was collected (even as broad as country).

The typical "Redleg" trapdoors are usually the African Ancylotrypa spp, which yours is certainly not. However if the spider is in fact from Africa then that most likely points to family Idiopidae (therefore it is likely Idiops or Ctenolophus sp)

If it is from the states, then Ummidia sp is most likely what it is. However there are other Ctenizids from the US that it could also possibly be.

Based on those pics, that's about as good as I can do. A general idea on location would be outstanding at this point. Oh and has it made a door yet by any chance?

The man I received it from had a very 'poor' knowledge of his animals... and did not seem to know where it was originally from. Yes, it has made a trapdoor. It's not just a tunnel without door. That's about the best I can do... maybe the question will never be solved. He did not think that it was native to the US, but with his inaccuracy, I'm not so sure. I don't know any specifics in unfortunate reality :(

[CodeWilster]

The man I received it from had a very 'poor' knowledge of his animals... and did not seem to know where it was originally from. Yes, it has made a trapdoor. It's not just a tunnel without door. That's about the best I can do... maybe the question will never be solved. He did not think that it was native to the US, but with his inaccuracy, I'm not so sure. I don't know any specifics in unfortunate reality :(

If he bought it from some sort of dealer or pet store then it is most likely a Tanzanian Idiopid. Could you describe the door? (or do you have a picture by any chance)? Is it a tight fitting thick wafer or more like a thin flap?

[Faing]

If he bought it from some sort of dealer or pet store then it is most likely a Tanzanian Idiopid. Could you describe the door? (or do you have a picture by any chance)? Is it a tight fitting thick wafer or more like a thin flap?

This is the best picture of the door I have. It is a strong web and the back of the door is solid white by the web. It's attached pretty well. It's not too flat shaped though. There is a good chance he got it from a pet store or such a dealer.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/Poison_Faing/trapdoordoor.jpg

[CodeWilster]

Ok, I think the safest guess at this point is that it is an African Idiopid. Probably from the genus Ctenolophus or Idiops. It's still going to take some weird and clear shots to get a proper ID. Here you can compare to see if yours is an Idiops or Ctenolophus. The Ctenolophus I have noticed to be more common but both are usually available:

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showpost.php?p=1185597&postcount=14

I have so far not seen any Ummidia for sale despite their wide distribution, most people that have them dug them up on accident in their backyards.

So far with mine (Ctenolophus), they have made a not so thick door but they sure do a good job hanging onto it whenever I try to pry it open! Looks to me like yours has a neat setup too :)

[Faing]

Ok, I think the safest guess at this point is that it is an African Idiopid. Probably from the genus Ctenolophus or Idiops. It's still going to take some weird and clear shots to get a proper ID. Here you can compare to see if yours is an Idiops or Ctenolophus. The Ctenolophus I have noticed to be more common but both are usually available:

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showpost.php?p=1185597&postcount=14

I have so far not seen any Ummidia for sale despite their wide distribution, most people that have them dug them up on accident in their backyards.

So far with mine (Ctenolophus), they have made a not so thick door but they sure do a good job hanging onto it whenever I try to pry it open! Looks to me like yours has a neat setup too :)

Thanks for your help (even if it could only be but so much). I appreciate it. Mine's quite different than your describing yours... like a little puppy dog :D Won't eat if it knows there's someone in the room and retreats when I'm doing a 'are you still alive' check. And I was expecting aggression when i first got it :rolleyes: If food didn't go missing in his cage after a day or two I wouldn't know if he still existed.

[CodeWilster]

No mine are like that too...I have lots and they all have their little 'personalities'. :) I have several that I am housing in very small containers at the moment (feeding/monitoring reasons), and therefore they cannot run and hide; they have no choice but to "lock the door" lol

Anyway we all know what happens when we assume :rolleyes: but I think it would be safe to call your little gal a Ctenolophus sp if you were itching to put some sort of label on it. ;)

Oh and if you ever see it roaming about and can flip it over and take some clear pics feel free to do that and post it, as well as any other shots lol