cave spider

[DE3]

HI

I collect tarantulas, but know nothing about this spider.

I've explored, and documented the archaeology of a cave in ENE Iowa USA for several years now. I want to find out more about this spider that I've only seen in the cave. They hang out mostly within a 40 x 40 ft room, just inside the cave that has a 3 ft entrance. I'll also see them within a couple of the tunnels branching out from the main room, but always within the reach of a tiny amount of light emitting from the entrance. Always have a very simple web on the ceiling, (ceilings w/spiders are 5 - 14 ft high) or where the ceiling meets the wall. The abdomen on a large one would be .5 inch

I've never been bothered by one, but the potential for an accidental run-in with one is quite possible. Obviously I'm wondering about the venom. In case I get bit, I want to be able to tell the doc what bit me.

T's I have no problem with. These guys look like a big warning sign to stay the h**l away. I have been bitten by a brown recluse, with ugly and very costly results -- but that's another story, and I'd need to dig up my 2.5 inch thick file that documents the whole story.

Any info on this spider would be appreciated.

[DE3]

another one

[Wolfchan]

Hi,

I am a spider / tarantula specialist in San Jose, Ca. I was at a friend's house and saw the pic of your spider. You mentioned that you found this in a cave. I was looking at the pic and realized that this is a cobweb weaver in the same class as the widows. Based on abdominal patterns and front leg length, this looks like a cave-dwelling spider in the family Nesticiid. The unusual thing about this particular spider is that this is the only spider in the world that has no eyes - it is totally blind. It spins a cobweb in moist areas but can also tolerate drier conditions. Most cave dwellers are gray and black in color but various colors have been reported. there have not been any published reports about their venom potential but I would use caution anyhow.

How cool -

If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to contact my website, walkingwithspiders.com

Chris

[DE3]

Very interesting Chris!

It sounds like its potentially rare. I wonder if it's an undocumented variety.

Thanks
Jeff

[Silver.x]

I would doubt it is undocumented if he knows so many facts about them.

Aidan

[DE3]

I would doubt it is undocumented if he knows so many facts about them.

Aidan


OK, I'll bite on that...

I have no problems with Chris, or his comments. They were a lot more helpful than yours.

"Most cave dwellers are gray and black in color but various colors have been reported" is not exactly scientific, or definitive, and leaves open a lot of "gray areas".

When you've spent as much time in the most remote areas as I have, and combine that with my scientific backround, there leaves little doubt that there are many, many undocumented species of all types out there. Once you've actually discovered a few things, it becomes clear that there is so much out there yet to be documented.

So until I find the citation, I will consider this topic wide open.

Thanks again Chris

[Silver.x]

Clam down it was just a comment. I said nothing about you having a "problem" his comments, in fact he was very helpful and I agree with that; I am just pointing something out and frankly, if you do not like it, keep it to yourself.

Aidan

[danfekar]

I am by no means a specialist on spiders.

It might be a far shot, but this kinda looks like Meta menardi (or something related).

M. menardi is rather common in caves and other dark, moist places and have been found both in Europe and the US. Members of the family Tetragnathidae.

Notice the similarities both in coloration and abdominal markings.

Maybe Chris has some more input here?

[Venom]

Looks to me like you have a match! Nice find!

[DE3]

Excellent images and info danfekar !

These spiders are very close: http://www.nicksspiders.com/nicksspiders/metamenardi.htm

This is what the eggsack looks like: http://www.nrm.se/en/meta3.html

Very close once again: http://digilander.libero.it/enrlana/e_meme.htm

And here we have the North American version -- Meta ovalis : http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~sjtaylor/cave/arachnida.html

Upper left pic: http://www.utexas.edu/depts/tnhc/.www/biospeleology/mocavelife/arach.htm

Based upon the info gathered so far, It's looking to me like the cave spider is a Meta ovalis.

Cheers