Moapa

Moapa is a genus of spiders in the family Theridiidae, commonly known as cobweb spiders. The genus was first described by arachnologist Herbert Walter Levi in 1954. The name "Moapa" is derived from the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Nevada, where the type species, Moapa arizonica, was first discovered.

Description

File:Moapa arizonica.jpg

Moapa arizonica, a species of Moapa spider

Moapa spiders are small to medium-sized spiders, typically measuring between 2 and 10 millimeters in length. They are characterized by their globular abdomens, which are often brightly colored with distinctive patterns. The legs of Moapa spiders are long and slender, and their bodies are covered in short, fine hairs.

Distribution and habitat

Moapa spiders are found primarily in the southwestern United States, particularly in the states of Nevada, Arizona, and California. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including deserts, forests, and grasslands. Moapa spiders are often found in dark, secluded areas, such as under rocks or in crevices.

Behavior and ecology

Like all spiders in the family Theridiidae, Moapa spiders are web builders. They construct irregular, tangled webs in which they ensnare their prey. Moapa spiders are primarily nocturnal and are most active during the night.

Species

There are currently two recognized species in the genus Moapa:

• Moapa arizonica Levi, 1954 – USA
• Moapa nevadensis Levi, 1954 – USA

See also

• List of Theridiidae species
• Spider taxonomy

External links

• Moapa at the World Spider Catalog