L.mactans?

[Christoph]

Hi,
Is this a Latrodectus mactans or another widow??
http://www.arcor.de/palb/alben/02/956102/800_3230353861613230.jpg

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Where was it collected?

[Christoph]

I don`t know.I bought the widow in a german shop.The people in the shop said it is a mactans.

[Spaceman_Spiff]

It's kinda tricky to ID them from the shape of the hourglass, do you have a bigger picture?

Here are some links that might be helpful:
http://kaston.transy.edu/widow.html#return
http://personalwebs.myriad.net/bugboy/blackwid.htm

greets
Bernhard

[Spaceman_Spiff]

I'd say it's L. variolus from the hourglass, but I'm not sure if the shape of the hourglass really is a taxonomically valid trait!

Bernhard

[Christoph]

Sorry I havn't a better Pic but I would say it's L.variolus,too.

[edesign]

i too say variolis if the picture isn't playing tricks on our eyes...looks like the hourglass is split in to two parts.

My L. mactans has a solid hourglass with three small red dots near the spinnerettes...

[JPD]

Locale would be the more reliable indicator. The hourglass and other markings are not too reliable IMO. But, the markings coupled with a locale, would prove a better picture.
There are just too many variables when it comes to id based on markings.

[Christoph]

Sorry for the bad pic but I have a bad cam :( .

It ate a Fly and is much bigger than before.
The hourglass isn't split in two parts it's only a black point on the hourglass.
I think it's a mactans.

[Christoph]

I've made a few new pics.I hope they are better.
http://www.arcor.de/palb/alben/02/956102/800_6266306135633936.jpg http://www.arcor.de/palb/alben/02/956102/800_3331393631373334.jpg

http://www.arcor.de/palb/alben/02/956102/800_6130626435323036.jpg

[xanadu1015]

Doesn't a L. hesperus have an hourglass like that? Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. She is a beauty though!



Laura

[Christoph]

Tanks.
But I don't think it's L. hesperus look at this link http://kaston.transy.edu/widow.html#return

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Now we've had all three of them {D
Any additional possibilities?
I don't think it makes sense to play this game any further.
You have the specimen, when it looks like L. mactans to you and the shop said it was, maybe it is L. mactans?
Has it been mated? Do you want to breed it?

Bernhard

[Christoph]

No I don't want to breed it.
It' indifferently what Latrodectus sp. is it.
But thanks for help ;)

[death1]

Western Widow L. hesperus. Backed up by the seperated hourglass. Top of hourglass is almost heart shaped. Lower hourglass is kind of a "w".

[JPD]

Here is a pic of an L.hesperus in which the collection location is known, (Southern California)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/blackwidow1/Lmactans.jpg
As you can see, the hourglass and markings are not always reliable or "classic."
One thing you know for sure......it is in the Latrodectus genus and regardless of what species, an interesting captive nonetheless.
You might also send a pic to Dr.Breene at the ATSHQ for a more definitive answer.... rgbreene@aol.com
Let us know what he says.

My guess....L.mactans

Here is some pics posted by Sky over on ST awhile back that clearly demonstrate just how difficult it can be to differentiate.
http://www.spidertalk.net/forum/viewthread.php?tid=4560#pid34217

[death1]

The hourglasses are not definitive since there are many sub-types but this baby, in my opinion would hesperus. I am by no means an expert, just a "guessing profit"