P. lapidicina/mercurialis Combined Range

Judging from iNaturalist observations, the lapidicina group appears to be absent from coastal Texas and much of the other Gulf States. On a recent trip to Tennessee I decided to test the hypothesis. I used Google Maps satellite view to locate likely habitats along my route of US 79, TX 43, I-20, and I-59. Stops were made in TX, MS, and AL. No stops were made in LA since I couldn't find any likely habitat. All stops came up negative. I thought I found one in Vicksburg sitting on a rock. It was a Pardosa, but not in the lapidicina group. I only visited a few locations in Tennessee near Bristol where I stayed for several days. Otherwise I passed through the state too early or late in the day. The South Holston Dam area looked promising, but the most appropriate habitat was devoid of all life and other areas yielded other species.

Posted on 13 December, 2021 13:27 by eaneubauer