Taxonomic writeup includes a description of the specimens. These descriptions detail certain factors related to the specimens such as color patterns, sizes, morphological features, etc. These descriptions are given in the publication/thesis in a certain format/style.
My question concerns spiders. While describing spiders, do taxonomists follow certain preordained/prescribed formats for the descriptions? Similarly, do standarized genitalic terminologies exist? If not then, for instance, do taxonomists look up recent publications from a certain author or recent publications on the group of spiders they are working on (say family Lycosidae, or genus Hamadruas, etc) and use the format followed by the author/in the publication as a model for their own description?
Awaiting valuable input. Thanks.
Normally I give priority to characters important for the identification. Reading several papers may help you to get a good idea about terminology. If you have refer the book "biology of spiders". You will find some helpful information. If you need the book send me an email I will send it to you. [email protected]
Dear Kumail,
here are some references that were helpful during my few outings into the world of spider taxonomy:
Ruiz GRS, Maddison WP. The new Andean jumping spider genus Urupuyu and its placement within a revised classification of the Amycoida (Araneae: Salticidae). Zootaxa. 2015; 4040 (3): 251–279. pmid:26624665
Ramírez MJ. The Morphology and Phylogeny of Dionychan Spiders (Araneae: Araneomorphae). Bull Am Mus Nat Hist. 2014; 390: 1–374.
Levi HW. Techniques for the study of spider genitalia. Psyche. 1965; 72: 152–158.
Thank you very much. Especially, for that third paper. Much appreciated.
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