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Scotinella redempta
Scotinella redempta is a species of true spider in the family Phrurolithidae,[1] found in the eastern United States and Canada. It has a reddish-brown cephalothorax, and an abdomen with alternating patterns of light and dark spots and stripes.[2] While little is known about the species biology, it is associated with deciduous forests, where it is most commonly found through sifting leaf litter.[3] TaxonomyScotinella redempta was originally misidentified in 1930 as the species Scotinella similis (then Phrurolithus similis) by Willis J. Gertsch.[4] He later discovered this error and described it as Phrurolithus redemptus in 1941.[5] The species was eventually transferred to the genus Scotinella, and the specific epithet was consequently altered to agree with the gender of the genus.[2] Description Scotinella redempta is a small spider, with males averaging 2.13 mm in length and females 2.35 mm in length. The carapace is reddish-brown, with faint traces of radiating dark marks. The sternum is brownish orange. The abdomen is dark grey, with two light spots near the anterior end, a W-shaped marking near the middle, and four thinner light markings on the posterior end. Like many species in the family Phrurolithidae, the first two pairs of legs possess prominent spines.[2] Scotinella redempta can most easily be identified through inspection of the genitalia. Males can be identified by the presence of a sharp, outwards-directing projection at the base of the retrolateral tibial apophysis, in combination with a small, straight and abruptly narrowed embolus. Females can be identified by the combination of small, closely spaced copulatory openings situated at the center of the epigynum, and by large, ovoid spermathecae.[2] References
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