Genus - Pelegrina

Taxonomic Hierarchy for University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum


Results

4 results for "Pelegrina"

Pelegrina flavipes

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

SeasonalityFound most commonly in the months of May and June. Can be found as late as August (Kanston, 1996). IdentificationAll species of Pelegrina are easily distinguished from relatives by the male embolus which have two rami placed retrolaterally to the opening. This characteristic is more easily seen in P. flavipes than in any other Pelegrina species, whose ridge between these rami is the deepest. In addition, the retrolateral rami’s relative thickness is diagnostic. Males of the species sport strong and well-defined cheek bands above the side line of the head, 3 white spots above the large anterior eyes, and a small black spot on top of each of the chelicerae. Setae of two different colours overhang the chelicerae: white on the medial portion and brown on the lateral portion. Legs, chelicerae and carapace are yellow. Unlike many species of salticids, the head is not particularly bulbous or wide. Females are much more difficult to distinguish, but their best diagnostic character is their overall brassy sheen, the product of transparent scales covering the spider’s body. Beige spots can be seen above and between the anterior median eyes. The clypeus is densely covered in white scales. Also, the fourth pair of white spots on the abdomen have come together to form a chevron. On the ventral portion, the epygynum has two thickened flaps, a characteristic trait of all Pelegrina. In P. flavipes the flaps are flat and lie parallel to each other with the first curve of the duct broad while the second curve is narrow (Maddison, 1996). Males: avg. body length 3.7 mm, carapace length 1.9 mm; females: avg. body length 4.7 mm, carapace length 1.8 mm (Maddison, 1996).

Pelegrina insignis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

SeasonalityMay to July (MCZBASE). IdentificationAll species of Pelegrina are easily distinguished from relatives by the male embolus, which have two rami placed retrolaterally to the opening. The embolus of P. insignis is quite thin, delicate and prone to breaking. The embolus is flared on the distal portion and covered in small denticles. The dorsal portion of the carapace is covered in brassy scales with white patches between the posterior eyes and the fovea. The side band is prominent and white, but the cheek band located just dorsally is comparatively weak. The clypeus is brown with dark setae hanging over the chelicerae. The patch of yellow hairs at the base of the chelicerae are diagnostic (Maddison, 1996). Females possess the characteristic thickened epygynal flaps present in all Pelegrina. These flaps are short and lay either parallel or divergently in P. insignis. A strong diagnostic character is the presence of a raised bulge posterior to the flaps which rises above the level of the flaps. The carapace is densely covered in yellow and white scales while the clypeus is covered in yellow scales. The legs are a uniform yellow colour. The abdomen is yellow- or red-brown with pairs of large black spots (Maddison, 1996). Males: avg. body length 3.6 mm, carapace length 1.8 mm; females: avg. body length 4.1 mm, carapace length 1.9 mm (Maddison, 1996).

Pelegrina montana

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

SeasonalityMonths of June to August (MCZBASE). IdentificationAll species of Pelegrina are easily distinguished from relatives by the male embolus, which have two rami placed retrolaterally to the opening. The embolus is further differentiated in P. montana by small denticles on its anterior surface. On average, P. montana is larger and of a darker colouration than related species. On males, the side band and forehead band common to all Pelegrina are a faded white and the cheek band is either weakly present or completely absent. The clypeus is brown, with dark setae overhanging the chelicerae. The white marks on the dorsal portion of the abdomen are absent except on the latter half, where they are reduced, forming thin, pale bars. Females possess the characteristic thickened epygynal flaps present in all Pelegrina. A prominent diagnostic characteristic is these flaps' short length and convex shape. The first curve of the duct is narrow, and the second curve follows obliquely. Immediately behind the flaps is a prominent ridge shaped like a rounded rectangle. The carapace of the spider is dark, but covered in sparse, white hairs. These white scales are found in higher density on the clypeus. The abdomen is dark brown with small pairs of white spots (Maddison, 1996). Males: avg. body length 4.6 mm, carapace length 2.1 mm; females: avg. body length 5.9-6.9 mm, carapace length 2.5 mm (Maddison, 1996).

Pelegrina sp.

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Taxonomic Hierarchy for University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum