The linyphiid spiders Oedothorax gibbosus (Blackwall 1841) and Oedothorax tuberosus (Blackwall 1841) were formerly described as separate species due to marked differences in prosomal structures of the males. During the last decade it was demonstrated that they are two forms of a single species. However, it remained to be shown whether the former species represent two distinct morphs or extremes of a continuum of variation. A morphometric examination of 246 alcohol-preserved specimens revealed that individual spiders can clearly be assigned to one of two forms. No intermediates were found, demonstrating that there are two distinct morphs.
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1 June 2000
MALE DIMORPHISM IN OEDOTHORAX GIBBOSUS (ARANEAE, LINYPHIIDAE): A MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS
Stefan Heinemann,
Gabriele Uhl
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gustatorial courtship
morphometry
polymorphism
sexual selection
Species status