Araneus washingtoni Levi 1971

Paquin, Pierre & Dupérré, Nadine, 2006, The spiders of Québec: update, additions and corrections, Zootaxa 1133, pp. 1-37 : 6-7

Araneus washingtoni Levi 1971

( Figs 5–8 )

Material examined.— Canada: Québec: Abitibi­Ouest: Duparquet Lake [48°30’N, 79°13’W] 24.–31.vii.1994, Malaise/flight interception trap (pan) in mixed forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Abitibi­Ouest: Duparquet Lake [48°30’N, 79°13’W] 24.– 31.vii.1994, Malaise/flight interception trap (pan) in White cedar/Balsam fir forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Abitibi­Ouest: Duparquet Lake [48°30’N, 79°13’W] 31.vii.–07.viii.1994, Malaise/flight interception trap (pan) in White cedar/Balsam fir forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 87 km N LaSarre [49°32’N, 79°20’W] 20.–27.vii.1997, Malaise/flight interception trap (pan) in old growth Black spruce forest, 3ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 89 km N LaSarre [49°33’N, 78°59’W] 13.–20.vii.1997, flight interception trap in mature Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 89 km N LaSarre [49°33’N, 78°59’W] 27.vii.–03.viii.1997, flight interception trap in mature Black spruce forest, 2ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 91 km N LaSarre [49°35’N, 79°17’W] 13.–20.vii.1997, flight interception trap in old growth Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 93 km N LaSarre [49°35’N, 79°17’W] 20.–27.vii.1997, flight interception trap in old growth Black spruce forest, 2ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 95 km N LaSarre [49°36’N, 79°18’W] 13.–20.vii.1997, flight interception trap in old growth Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 98 km N LaSarre [49°37’N, 79°17’W] 20.–27.vii.1997, flight interception trap in mature Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 110 km N LaSarre [49°43’N, 79°02’W] 27.vii.–03.viii.1997, flight interception trap in burned Black spruce forest, 2ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 122 km NNE LaSarre [49°48’N, 78°54’W] 05.–12.x.1997, flight interception trap in mature Black spruce forest, 1Ψ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 122 km NNE LaSarre [49°48’N, 78°54’W] 06.–13.vii.1997, pitfall in regenerating Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 122 km NNE LaSarre [49°48’N, 78°54’W] 03.–10.viii.1997, Malaise/flight interception trap (pan) in regenerating Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 119 km N LaSarre [49°49’N, 79°01’W] 13.–20.vii.1997, Malaise/flight interception trap (pan) in mature Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 119 km N LaSarre [49°49’N, 79°01’W] 20.–27.vii.1997, Malaise/ flight interception trap (pan) in mature Black spruce forest, 2ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 119 km N LaSarre [49°49’N, 79°00’W] 03.–10.viii.1997, flight interception trap in mature Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 128 km NNE LaSarre [49°50’N, 78°41’W] 20.–27.vii.1997, flight interception trap in old growth Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD); Baie­James (Jamésie): 131 km NNE LaSarre [49°51’N, 78°38’W] 27.vii.–03.viii.1997, flight interception trap in old growth Black spruce forest, 1ɗ, P. Paquin & N. Dupérré ( CPAD).

Diagnosis.— This species resembles A. marmoreus and A. corticarius but differs from the latter by having dorsal humps rather than lateral ones. Males are distinguished by the shape and curvature of the terminal apophysis ( Fig. 7 ), the rather small and triangular median apophysis (MA), and by the shape of the distal (DSMA) and proximal spines (PSMA) ( Fig. 7 ). Female scape long (SC), slightly enlarged at base ( Fig. 8 ), not heavily wrinkled, and protruding at a 90° angle in lateral view.

Distribution.— Widespread in Canada, from northern British Columbia to Newfoundland and south to Mont Washington in New Hampshire ( USA), but rarely collected (see Dondale et al. 2003).

Remark.— The occurrence of the species in Québec was suspected by Hutchinson & Bélanger (1994), but was not included in Paquin & Dupérré (2003). The numerous records given here suggest that the species may be locally abundant. Levi (1971) reported that A. washingtoni has been collected from Balsam fir. The present records suggest a close association with Black spruce and conifers in general. Interestingly, all records given here except one are of males, probably the result of a collecting bias towards wandering males.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 13. 1 – 4. Araneus thaddeus. 1, abdomen of male, dorsal view; 2, abdomen of female, dorsal view; 3, palpus of male, prolateral view; 4, epigynum, ventral view. 5 – 8. Araneus washingtoni. 5, abdomen of male, dorsal view; 6, abdomen of female, dorsal view; 7, palpus of male, prolateral view; 8, epigynum, ventral view. 9 – 13. Dictyna chitina. 9, palpus of male, ventral view; 10, palpus of male, tip of embolus, ventral view; 11, palpal tibia of male, retrolateral view; 12, epigynum, ventral view; 13, spermathecae, dorsal view.