Arachnologists Unite

At most academic meetings the arachnologists often get lumped into an entomology section.  Or they might find themselves mixed in with general invertebrates.  But not this time!  Two weeks ago, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, more than 100 arachnologists from all over the world met for the annual meeting of the American Arachnological Society hosted by University of Wisconsin at Green Bay.  The meeting took place over the course of four days and included all kinds of arachnid-based talks, posters, social events and an auction with all kinds of spider paraphernalia (books, t-shirts, toothbrushes, old photos, jewelry and more)!  It was a great opportunity for many enthusiastic arachnologists to share their exciting research regarding the charming little animals that strike fear into the hearts of most people!

After the official meeting concluded there was a field trip to visit Toft Point State Natural Area, on a peninsula along the western shore of Lake Michigan.  About 40 arachnologists jumped on a bus, headed up to Toft Point, and collected specimens in hopes of adding to the list of known arachnids from this site.  Here are a few spider photos from the field trip.

A small juvenile, female Dolomedes tenebrosus (Pisauridae).

This spider appears to have placed its egg sac into what’s left of this dead plant.

The always charismatic jumping spider, Phidippus sp. (Salticidae)