Nearctic Species of the Wolf SpiderGenus Trochosa (Araneae: Lycosidae)

The previously monotypic North American spider genusRabidosa Roewer is characterized an d expanded to include five species: Rabidosa rabida, R. santrita, R. punctulata, R. carrana and R. hentzi, all originally described underLycosa . Descriptions, diagnoses, illustrations, distribution maps, natural history note s (where known), a provisional phylogeny, and an identification key are provided for these five species . This investigation is part of a study of the sys- tematics of the Nearctic Lycosidae, focused pri- marily upon those wolf spiders described in th e genus Lycosa . Well over 50 species of medium- to-large size wolf spiders from the Nearctic Re- gion have been described in this genus . Studie s of Lycosa by the senior author over the past 15 years have disclosed considerable heterogeneit y in taxonomic characters such as color patterns , eye arrangement, and genitalic features of male s and females . Comparison of Lycosa tarentul a Linnaeus, the type species of the genus Lycosa , with North American species of Lycosa disclose s few similarities in these characters . Because of this, Dondale & Redner (1990) have transferre d many of the large species of North American wolf spiders formerly placed in Lycosa to the genu s Hogna . The generic name Hogna was first use d by Simon (1885) for the species known as Lycos a radiata Latreille, which is apparently related t o North American species in genitalic character- istics . In preliminary studies, certain shared char- acteristics (color pattern, genitalic characters, le g length relative to body dimensions, and eye-ro w relationships) were used to distinguish distinc t groups of species placed in Lycosa . Trochosa a s defined by Brady (1979), Varacosa separated fro m Trochosa by Jimenez & Dondale (1987), Glad- icosa established by Brady (1986), and Rabidosa , described here, contain species formerly place d in Lycosa . The scrutiny and definition of thes e four genera should prove useful in determinin g the evolutionary relationships of the remainin g

Characteristics. Small to medium size spiders (total length 5.8 to 13.0 mm). Carapace length 3.2 to 5.9 mm; width 2.4 to 4.3 mm.
Color brownish yellow to dark brown with a lighter submarginal stripe on each side of the carapace and a broad median light stripe as in . Within the light median stripe appears a pair of dark short stripes or dashes as in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. Trochosa gosiuta (Fig. 4) is the only species that does not show these dashes so characteristic of the genus. With this exception the dorsal pattern is similar throughout the genus. Abdomen yellowish brown to brown ground color with darker brown or black markings; sometimes with indistinct chevrons, but mostly mottled as in  Eyes: Anterior median eyes (AME) larger than anterior lateral eyes (ALE). Posterior median eyes (PME) larger than posterior 1979] Brady-Spider Genus Trochosa 169 lateral eyes (PLE), both much larger than anterior eyes. Eye arrangement: anterior eye row slightly procurved, equal or subequal (less than 0.02 mm difference) to PME width. PME width less than PLE width. PME width greater than length of posterior ocular quadrangle (POQ). Cephalothorax relatively flat when viewed from the side, tapering downward slightly in cephalic region.
Legs relatively short when compared to carapace length (ratio derived by dividing length of leg IV by carapace length 2.4 to 3.2 in females and 2.6 to 3.3 in males). Order of leg length IV-I-II-III. Order of length of segments: patella-tibia IV--metatarsus IVw patella-tibia I in avara group; patella-tibia IV--patella-tibia I-metatarsus IV in terricola. Trochosa terricola males have patellatibia I longer than patella-tibia IV.
Epigynum of female with median septum (ms) in shape of inverted "T" (Fig. 25). The longitudinal piece (lp) broad and flat in terricola (Fig. 13) or narrow with a bulbous white structure (b) filling most of the atrium in the avara species group (Fig. 27). In the latter species the transverse piece (tp) of the medium septum has the ends curved anteriad.
Diagnosis. As described above, representatives of the genus Trochosa differ from those of other lycosid genera primarily in the distinctive color pattern of the carapace. In addition the first eye row, which is essentially equal in width to the PME row, the low carapace that slopes downward anteriorly, and the relatively short legs are features that distinguish Trochosa from other lycosid genera. The relative dimensions of the eye rows compared to one another, and the carapace dimensions compared to leg length are Psyche [June-September quite similar in Trochosa species; and once known for all genera of North American lycosids these ratios may help to set apart Trochosa, as well as other genera. Although the ecology and behavior of North American species of Trochosa have not been well studied, there is enough information to indicate similarities in habitats and phases of life history. All North American species of Trochosa inhabit edge of woods or open woodland habitats (as do a number of their Palaearctic relatives). None of the American Trochosa are burrowers, such as Geolycosa and many species of Lycosa. Both Trochosa terricola and avara are often found under logs or stones, where they presumably molt and construct egg cases. These ecological and behavioral features also serve to separate species of Trochosa from many other lycosids. Species Groups. The structure of the male palpus and the female epigynum are often diagnostic at the generic level in spiders. In the case of Trochosa the genitalia delimit two species groups: ruricola, robusta, spinipalpis, and terricola on the one hand; and avara, gosiuta, shenandoa, and parthenus, on the other hand. In Trochosa terricola the male is recognized by the long, thin embolus forming a loop at its distal end (Fig. 30) and the female by the broad inversely "T-shaped" epigynum (Figs. 13,14,16). Trochosa ruricola, robusta, and spinipalpis of Europe are very similar to terricola in genitalic structure (see Locket and Millidge 1951, Engelhardt 1964, Fuhn and Burlacu 1971. In North America terricola is the lone member of the ruricola species group and is easily differentiated from other species of Trochosa in this region by genitalic structure. Trochosa avara females are recognized by the epigynum which has the ends of the transverse piece directed anteriad (Figs. 20,21).
This feature is characteristic of females of the avara group (Figs. 18,23,25,27) and separates them from all other North American Lycosidae. A unique feature of the males in the avara group is the embolus which expands into a broad flattened, semi-transparent plate as it curves beneath the palea and then narrows to form a filament that coils into the concavity of the conductor (Figs. 34,36,39,42,. 45). The twist at the tip is reminiscent of the embolus in terricola. Despite the differences in structure of the male and female genitalia of terricola when compared with representatives of the avara group, the close correspondence in color patterns, particular morphological features, and certain ecological characteristics warrant their inclusion in a single genus. 1979] Brady Spider Genus Troehosa 171 Species Excluded from Trochosa The following North American species have been placed in Trochosa by previous authors, but they do not belong in this genus as it is diagnosed here.
Lycosa animosa Walckenaer, 1837. Placed in Trochosa by Simon (1864) Anahita animosa (Walckenaer) Trochosa cherokee Chamberlin and Ivie, 1942 Lycosa cherokee (Chamberlin and Ivie) Lycosa contestata Montgomery, 1903. Placed in Trochosa by Montgomery (1904) and synonymized by Chamberlin (1909) (1942). John Abbot's Figure 81, the figure upon which the name Lycosa animosa is based, in the Spiders of Georgia (1792) is not Trochosa. Chamberlin and Ivie are probably correct in their diagnosis. The female holotype of Trochosa cherokee Chamberlin and Ivie from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) was examined. It belongs to the Lycosa gulosa species group. The holotype of Lycosa contestata Montgomery from the AMNH was examined. It is an immature female belonging to the Lycosa helluo species group. Numerous specimens of Lycosafrondicola were examined, samples were measured, and detailed drawings made for comparison to species of Trochosa. I concluded that frondicola is best placed in Lycosa at present. The holotype of Lycosa similis Banks from the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) was examined. It is an immature female belonging to the Lycosa helluo species group. In addition to the above species, type specimens of Lycosa abdita Gertsch from the AMNH and Lycosa acompa Chamberlin from the MCZ were examined because of certain Trochosoid characters they possessed. They do not belong in Trochosa as it is conceived here.

Psyche
[June-September METHODS Spider systematists, in general, employ many of the same techniques and methods in their study of materials. Basically a number of measurements of bodily components are made and characters of taxonomic importance are illustrated. These measurements and drawings characterize the species under investigation and aid in their identification and separation from closely related forms. Some idea of the phylogenetic relationships of species can be gained from this information as well.
It is often taken for granted by the specialist that others outside his field know about the techniques and methods employed and the rationale behind them. Since this is not necessarily true, and since this is the first in an anticipated series of systematic revisions on the Lycosidae, I decided to explain some of the details involved in the study. The methods and rationale set forth here will be a basis for future investigations. The subheadings below include the components explored in the analysis of each species.
Discussion. Under this subheading an attempt is made to clarify the nomenclatural history of the species in question as well as explain the rationale for certain conclusions regarding names.
Figures and Color Descriptions. The color descriptions and illustrations are based on fresh alcoholic specimens in most cases. Wellpreserved specimens of Trochosa in which the hairs have not been rubbed off are very similar to the living spiders and were utilized where possible. The differences in live and freshly preserved lycosids is produced by shrinkage in alcohol, which disrupts the abdominal color pattern; wetting, which makes the specimen darker than in life; and rubbing off of appressed hairs which make up some of the color pattern. Where discrepancies in color between live and preserved specimens have been observed, they are noted.
Color descriptions and illustrations were made under low power (16) of a dissecting microscope, with the spider illuminated by a microscope lamp. Where variation is great, the range of color patterns representative of the greatest number of specimens is described. A given specimen may not fit the general description in all details.
For each species a dorsal view of the female was drawn, with an additional drawing of T. terricola to indicate the range of variation. The dorsal color pattern is one of the distinctive features of the 1979] Brady Spider Genus Trochosa 173 genus Trochosa. At least two drawings of the female genitalia were made for each species: a ventral external view of the epigynum after all the hair had been removed (often revealing some internal structure through the integument) and a dorsal view with the separated genitalia submerged in clove oil for clearing. The female genitalia of all species are drawn to the same scale. Two views of the male palpus were drawn for each species: a ventral view and a retrolateral view. The left palpus of the male was drawn after gentle removal of hair to reveal the palpal sclerites. All palpi are drawn to the same scale. The female genitalia and the male palpus are classically used in identifying spider species and they are of considerable importance in Trochosa for that purpose.
Measurements. All measurements listed are in millimeters. Two net micrometers (0.5mm, 1.0mm) were used in an ocular (16) with a combination of low (1 ) and high (4)<) power objectives for making measurements. The higher power combination was used in measuring the eye rows and was determined to be accurate to 0.2 units of the micrometer grid or 0.025mm. The lower power combination was used to measure the body dimensions and leg lengths and was determined to be acccurate to 0.2 units of the micrometer grid or 0.1mm. A measurement when retaken always read within two units of the original measurement with either of the micrometer grids, e.g., an original measurement of 6.5 micrometer units when retaken would read 6.3-6.7 units. In all cases the greatest dimension of the structure was recorded, e.g., patellea-tibia length was measured as the greatest distance from a line tangent to the most proximal part of the patella to a line tangent to the most distal part of the tibia.
The segments of leg I were measured from the prolateral aspect, as was patella-tibia II. The segments of leg IV were measured from the retrolateral aspect, as was patella-tibia III. This method was found to be accurate and resulted in fewer broken legs than others that were tried. Total body length was estimated by measuring the abdomen and adding this figure to carapace length. Although the anterior end of the abdomen tends to overlie part of the cephalothorax, the abdomen usually shrinks in alcohol, reducing its size.
Measurements of total body length in this fashion can be reproduced more accurately, and since this dimension is highly variable, its primary function is for general recognition, not definition of the species.

Psyche
[June-September A set of 10 specimens of each sex was measured to give some idea of the range of variability within a species. A series of 19 different measurements was made of selected specimens of all species. Since eastern and western populations of Trochosa terricola differ in the number of posterior cheliceral teeth (Map 1) and in color and were described as different species, it seemed best to treat them separately for comparison. Six additional measurements of T. terricola epigyna, used by Locket and Millidge (1951) to separate female specimens of European Trochosa, were also made to compare North American populations of terricola with European populations. The range and mean for the more significant measurements are recorded for each species. The measurements should prove useful not only to identify certain species of North American Trochosa, but to help distinguish this genus from others as the study progresses. Preliminary measurements of other lycosids indicate that both the eye arrangement and ratio of leg length to carapace width or length are useful in distinguishing genera.
Diagnosis. The species under investigation is compared to its closest relative(s) and differences that distinguish them are noted. Natural History. In discussing methods (in a broad sense) it is appropriate to emphasize the importance of routine observations in the field. It is not the province of the systematist to explore and record detailed elements of the ecology and behavior of each species he studies, nor is it practicable from the standpoint of time, but it behoves him to note the habitat where certain species are found and any peculiar behavioral traits associated with the species. This kind of information is often as valuable to the systematist as that concerning morphological features and should be incorporated into decisions about species relationships.
Distribution. The geographic range of the species is given. Records. Includes only those specimens examined. Collecting localities for Canada are listed by city or town and separated by a semicolon. Multiple records for the United States are listed by county and separated by a semicolon. Collection records at the periphery of the species range are given in detail. The lower case "o" represents immature specimens.
Chamberlin and Gertsch (1929)  Carapace dark orange-brown with broad median stripe of pale yellow-orange; with paired short stripes of a darker color inside median stripe as in Figure 1, and with yellow-orange submarginal stripes.
Dorsum of abdomen brown in appearance, with yellow-orange base mottled with dark brown forming pattern as in Figure 1. Venter of abdomen yellow to pale yellow-orange, with darker mottling along sides.
Legs yellow to pale yellow-orange; with few dusky markings dorsally, but without distinct bands. Distal region of tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi brown.
Labium and endites orange-brown with distal ends paler, yellowish. Sternum light orange-brown. Carapace yellow-brown with broad, yellowish median stripe enclosing pair of darker short stripes anteriorly as in Figure 2; with pale yellowish submarginal stripes.
Dorsum of abdomen pale yellow to brownish yellow with irregular spots of dark gray or brown as in Figure 2. Cardiac area even colored, pale brownish yellow to tan. Venter of abdomen cream to pale brownish yellow, without darker markings.
Legs yellow to pale brownish yellow, without darker markings, lighter ventrally. Labium and endites yellowish brown to orange-brown; with distal ends cream to pale yellow. Sternum yellow to light brownish yellow.
Color. Eastern Males. Face dark orange-brown to brownish yellow at lower edge. Chelicerae dark reddish brown. Cymbium of palpus orange-brown.
Carapace dark orange-brown with broad yellow-orange median stripe, and with paired short dusky median stripes as in female. Yellow-orange submarginal stripes not as distinct as in female. Dorsum of abdomen appearing gray-brown--color produced by background of brownish yellow finely reticulated with gray. Cardiac area pale yellowish brown. Venter of abdomen yellow to brownish yellow; sides mottled gray.
Labium and endites brownish orange with distal ends yellowish. Measurements. Ten females and ten males from Fruitland, Payette Co., Idaho, 14 Sept. 1943

1979]
Brady-Spider Genus Trochosa Of the above three species terricola appears to be most closely related to spinipalpis. Males of spinipalpis can be identified by macrosetae on the ventral side of the palpal tibia. These macrosetae are absent in terricola. According to Locket and Milledge (1951) the females of the two species can be separated by color and certain anatomical proportions. For example, the number derived by dividing the width of the transverse piece of the epigynum by the width of the sternum between coxae II ranges from .30-.33 in terricola and .24-.29 in spinipalpis. In addition European specimens of terricola (93%) have 2-2 posterior cheliceral teeth while spinipalpis (66%) tend to have 3-3 posterior cheliceral teeth. For a thorough analysis of comparative anatomy of the Middle European Trochosa see Engelhardt (1964).
In North America Trochosa terricola shows considerable variation in the number of cheliceral teeth and in color. In general, eastern populations tend to be darker in color and tend to ,have 3-3 posterior cheliceral teeth and western populations tend to be lighter in color and have 2-2 posterior teeth. The geographic pattern of the number of posterior cheliceral teeth in specimens examined is shown in Map and Table 1. Because a single symbol on this map may represent anywhere from one to 50 specimens it tends to exaggerate the variability of this character. Table is a list of the actual number of specimens examined from each locality. These data indicate that populations of Trochosa terricola in North America cannot be separated into distinct geographic races upon the basis of cheliceral teeth number. It remains to be seen whether or not additional information concerning the ecology, behavior, or genetic mechanisms of the eastern and western populations will support recognition of subspecies. Natural History. Kaston (1948)

Brady
Spider Genus Trochosa 187 where medium humidity and little shadow prevail offer preferred situations.
The comparative study of Central European Trochosa by Engelhardt (1964), covering the morphological, ethological, and autecological characteristics of robusta, ruricola, spinipalpis, and terricola, provides a wealth of detailed information.
Chamberlin and Ivie (1942) placed avara in Trochosa and made it the type species of their new subgenus Varacosa. Roewer (1954) raised Varacosa to genetic status. Trochosa avara resembles terricola in bodily dimensions, coloration, and habitat preference, and I see no good reason for separating it as a genus or subgenus at this stage.
Color. Females. Face pale brownish yellow, lighter along lower edge of clypeus. Chelicerae darker, orange to orange-brown. Eye nacelles black.
Carapace brownish yellow to yellow-brown with broad, lighter yellowish median stripe as in Figure 3; with only faint indications of short, darker stripes within median light stripe; with indistinct lighter yellowish submarginal stripes. Dorsum of abdomen brownish yellow to pale brown, mottled with darker gray to black spots forming an indistinct pattern as in Figure 3. Cardiac area more evenly colored yellow-brown or tan.
Venter of abdomen pale yellow to cream with a few scattered darker spots, mostly along edges.
Legs yellow to pale brownish yellow without darker markings.
Labium and endites brownish yellow, with light ivory colored distal ends. Sternum pale yellow.
Carapace orange-brown with broad median yellowish stripe. Faint dusky dashes within median stripe. Narrow, irregular yellowish submarginal stripes.
Psyche [June-September Dorsum of abdomen with yellow ground color, suffused with brown and spotted with black. Cardiac area solid brown.
Legs pale yellow to light brown, darker above.
Labium and endites yellow with distal ends cream. Sternum yellow.
Measurements. Ten females and ten males from Ramsey, Bergen Co., New Jersey. Diagnosis. Trochosa avara is closest to gosiuta in size and coloration. It also resembles that species in the structure of the epigynum. Trochosa avara is usually darker than gosiuta and the two short dark stripes enclosed within the broad median light stripe are usu- 1979] Brady Spider Genus Trochosa 193 ally discernible in avara, but not in gosiuta (compare Fig. 3 with Fig. 4). The median apophysis of the male palpus in avara is far more robust than in gosiuta (compare Figs. 39,40 with Figs. 45,46).
Females of avara usually have-a blunt process at the posterior end of the longitudinal piece of the median septum and the lateral ends of the transverse arms of the median septum of avara are not directed as far anteriad as in gosiuta (compare Figs. 20, 21 with Fig. 27).
The male palpal organ of avara is closest to that of shenandoa (compare Figs. 36,37 with Figs. 34,35). The males of these two species are best distinguished by the robust ventral macrosetae on tibia I in shenandoa, which are much longer than in avara (compare Fig. 41 with Fig. 38).
Natural History. Kaston (1948) reports collecting this species from beneath stones and along the edges of wooded areas. In New England mature females were taken from mid-March to mid-November, males from September to mid-November. The species apparently overwinters in the adult and penultimate stages. Females with egg sacs were found in June by Kaston. One egg sac measured 4mm in diameter, another 4.5mm. The first egg case contained 32 eggs, the second 78 eggs. Eggs from the second case ranged from  Chamberlin, 1908: 281, pl. 20, fig. 4, ?. Female syntypes from Utah, lost. Petrunkevitch 1911: 556. Lycosa gosiuta: Banks 1910: 56. Chamberlin and Gertsch 1928: 186. Chamberlin and Woodbury 1929: 140. Banks and Newport 1932: 31. Gertsch 1935:. 20. Bonnet 1957: 2609 (Varaeosa) gosiuta: Chamberlin and Ivie: 1942: 37. Varacosa avara: Roewer 1954: 306. Discussion. Trochosa gosiuta was first described by Chamberlin (1908) as a variety of avara. He indicated that females from Utah of this variety differed from avara in the shape of the epigynum. No type specimen was designated and the specimens from Utah upon which Chamberlinbased the name gosiuta have apparently been lost.
Color. Females. Face orange-brown, yellowish along lower edge of clypeus. Eye nacelles black. Chelicerae brown to dark reddish brown.
Carapace orange-brown with broad median pale brownish yellow (golden) stripe, with dusky lines radiating from thoracic groove, and with brownish yellow submarginal stripes as in Figure 4. Dorsum of abdomen pale brown ground color, freckled with numerous yellow and black spots, without distinct pattern as in Figure 4. Cardiac area light reddish brown. Venter pale brownish yellow with black spots laterally.
Legs pale yellow to brownish yellow, lighter ventrally.
Labium yellow, lighter yellow to cream distally. Endites brown with yellow distal ends. Sternum yellow.
Color. Males. Face pale yellow to orange-yellow. Lighter along lower edge of clypeus. Chelicerae pale yellow to golden. Eye nacelles black. Cymbium of palpus yellow.
Dorsum of abdomen pale brownish yellow with irregular spots gray-brown or black without distinct pattern; venter pale yellow to cream with a few scattered gray to black spots laterally.
Legs lielat brownish yellow to pale yellow with ventral surface a lighter shade. 1979] Brady Spider Genus Trochosa 197 Labium and endites yellow with distal ends lighter yellow to cream. Sternum pale yellow to cream.
Measurements. Ten females and ten males from Utah. Diagnosis. Trochosa gosiuta is similar to avara and shenandoa in size and coloration. Unlike the latter two species gosiuta specimens do not have the two dark dashes within the broad median stripe (compare Figs. 3 and 5 with Fig. 4). Trochosa gosiuta is most like shanandoa in the structure of the epigynum and the male palpal organ. The anteriorly directed ends of the transverse arms of the epigynum in gosiuta are narrower and less heavily sclerotized than in shenandoa (compare Fig. 27 1979] Brady Spider Genus Trochosa 199 are less well developed in gosiuta (compare Fig. 41 with Fig. 44). Also the distal paleal process (p) and the median apophysis (ma) of gosiuta (Figs. 45,46) are less well developed than in shenandoa (Figs. 42, 43).
Natural History. Trochosa gosiuta occurs in relatively dry, desert regions in the western states. Nothing concerning its life style beyond this has been reported.
Color. Female. Face yellow-brown to orange-brown, lighter yellowish along lower edge of clypeus. Chelicerae orange-brown to dark reddish brown.
Carapace orange-brown to brown with wide pale yellow to yellow-orange median stripe; with median stripe enclosing two short, dark dashes anteriorly as in Figure 5, and with lighter irregular submarginal stripes.
Dorsum of abdomen pale yellow to light brown in ground color with dark brown or gray spots as in Figure 5. Cardiac area solid brown. Faint pattern of chevrons posteriorly in some specimens.
Venter cream to pale yellow with a few scattered darker spots.
Legs yellow to yellow-orange, with ventral surface lighter.
Labium and endites orange to orange-brown with distal ends yellow. Sternum yellow.
Color. Male. Face yellow-orange to brownish orange, paler yellow along lower edge of clypeus. Chelicerae yellow-orange to brownish orange. Cymbium of palpus yellow-orange with dark sclerites showing through integument. 1979] Brady-Spider Genus Trochosa 201 Carapace light medium brown with broad median stripe of pale  (compare Figs. 18,23,25 with Fig. 27). Internally the ducts of the spermathecae run nearly horizontally or straight across as they leave the bulb (b) in shenandoa (figs., 17, 22, 24), while in gosiuta the ducts slope diagnonally posteriad as they leave the bulb (Fig. 26). The male palpus of shenandoa is most similar to that ofavara. However, the median apophysis (ma) in avara is much larger than in shenandoa (compare Figs. 36,37,39,40 with Figs,34,35,42,43). Trochosa shenandoa males may be easily distinguished from avara and gosiuta by the very robust pair of retroventral macrosetae on tibia I (compare Fig. 41   Lycosa parthenus Chamberlin, 1925: 228. Holotype female from Bartow, Polk Co., Florida (R. V. Chamberlin) in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, examined.
Color. Female. Face yellow-orange to orange-brown, lighter along lower edge of clypeus. Chelicerae yellow-orange to dark reddish brown. 1979] Brady Spider Genus Trochosa 205 Carapace light brown to dark reddish brown with a light yellow to pale orange median stripe, with two dark oblong spots within the median stripe anteriorly as in Figure 6, and with light submarginal stripes.
Dorsum of abdomen with yellowish ground color heavily pigmented with dark brown or gray producing a pattern as in Figure 6.
Venter cream to pale yellow with scattered dark spots, heaviest along sides.
Legs pale yellow to yellow-orange with dusky markings, which are more prominent dorsally. Labium and endites yellow to light brown with distal ends cream. Sternum cream to yellow.
Color. Male. Face light orange-brown, yellowish along lower edge of clypeus. Chelicerae yellow-orange to light orange-brown. Cymbium of palpus yellow-orange with dark sclerites visible through integument.
Carapace orange-brown to brown with wide median yellow stripe, with two dark spotS within median stripe anteriorly as in female, and with lighter irregular submarginal stripes not as distinct as in female.
Dorsum of abdomen medium brown produced by yellowish ground color speckled with dark brown or gray spots. Cardiac area solid yellowish brown to brown. Venter cream to pale yellow with a few to many scattered dark spots.
Legs yellow to light brownish yellow with dusky markings above. Labium and endites yellow, lighter distally. Sternum yellow. Measurements. Ten females and ten males from Florida. Diagnosis. Trochosa parthenus resembles shenandoa and gosiuta in epigynal structure, but it can be easily distinguished from these two species (compare Figs. 8,9 with Figs. 18,23,25,27). The male palpal organ of parthenus (Figs. 32, 33) is most similar to that of shenandoa (Figs. 34,35,42,43), but again can be readily distingiushed. Trochosa parthenus is the smallest member of the avara species group, averaging considerably smaller in size than avara, gosiuta, or shenandoa (see Measurements). This species is also the only member of Trochosa occurring in peninsular Florida. Even though there is a single male specimen recorded from near Alpine, Texas, parthenus seems to be largely restricted to the southeastern United States. Natural History. Wallace (1947) reported on the natural history of this species in Florida: "Lycosa parthenus matures and mates during January and February in the Gainesville region; however, I have two records of males from October. Females with egg sacs have been taken only during January and February. During the spring adults gradually decrease in numbers until, by the middle of the summer, they are rare. By June the young have left the mother and are common in the leaf mould of appropriate situations. This species is apparently confined to dry leaf mould. In such xeric situations as turkey oak or old fields it is found among the leaves under trees but is missing on open sandy stretches. Whenever dry leaf mould occurs, including all situations drier than mesophytic hammock, this species is likely to be present." Distribution. Southeastern United States. One male from western Texas.