Argoctenus sp. (genus)

Wandering ghost spider at Melba, ACT

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Argoctenus vittatus Bron 27 Apr 2020
Argoctenus sp. (genus) YumiCallaway 25 Apr 2020
Argoctenus sp. (genus) Bron 25 Apr 2020

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Argoctenus vittatus

2 comments

   27 Apr 2020
   27 Apr 2020
Hi Bron,
I can't seem to see the comment you've made; it comes up with "Bron wrote: 55 min ago", but I can't see anything else (hopefully you can see mine!). I'm wondering what basis you're suggesting A. vittatus on because there seems to be quite a limit to the clarification of Argoctenus spp. The most recent revision I can find on it and its related families is Raven's work in 2003 & 2008, neither of which seem to have much specifically on Argoctenus sp.
Findaspider.org seems to have distinguished both A. vitattus & A. pictus, but I don't have access to the sources they've cited. Arachne.org (http://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=2095) says "Perhaps the species we see most commonly is Argoctenus vittatus but this is recorded twice in literature, once by Rainbow and once by Simon, and only one should exist. The type species for this genus is lost, but if specimens could be found, it may solve a lot of problems, as it appears to be different from the other species." The images there is very much like yours, but it's still put under Argoctenus sp because of this uncertainty and the lack of proper revisions. The sources NMBE cites also don't seem to have too much clear information. And I don't think Whyte & Anderson's book even mentions Argoctenus further that the genus.
It does seem that it would probably be A. vittatus, but I'm not convinced that there's enough information to confirm that and I personally think it would be better to have the Argoctenus sp sightings all in one place so that when a revision is published, they can all be sorted more accurately in one go.
Just my take given what I've researched; I'd like to hear what you think too!!

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Location information

Sighting information

  • At least 1 Abundance
  • 28 Nov 2011 06:09 PM Recorded on
  • Bron Recorded by
  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size

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