Spiders of the University of Oklahoma Biological Station, Marshall County, Oklahoma, with Observations on Species Used by Muddaubers as Larval Food, and a Review of the Species Known from Oklahoma

Abstract

Nearly 1000 specimens were examined and found to include representatives of 21 families, 52 genera and 83 species. Most of these represent new distribution records within Oklahoma, and one family, seven genera and 27 species are reported for the first time. All spider families known from Oklahoma are characterized, and keys to their genera are presented. As far as possible, the synonomies of species listed by Banks, Newport, and Bird (1932) are brought up to date. All of these species, included in this report, are briefly characterized. A summary of the spiders utilized by the muddauber Sceliphron cementarium is presented. The University of Oklahoma Biological Station is located on the rolling banks of Lake Texoma, an impoundment of the Red River, near Willis, Marshall County, south-central Oklahoma. This region lies in the so-called Texas Biotic Province, characterized by Texas blackland soil, Cretaceous outcroppings, and, near the lake, large quantities of sand deposited by the prevailing southwesterly winds. Cultivated crops are principally cotton, small grains and peanuts. Native plants are predominantly oak-hickory or oak-willow (near waterways) associations, tall and mid-grasses, numerous composites and many herbaceous plants. The annual mean temperature is moderate, but the yearly fluctuation is well over 100 degrees. The average rainfall is more than 35 inches. There is a paucity of faunistic studies of Oklahoma arachnids. The only local list available is an old one (Banks, Newport and Bird, 1932), now badly in need of revision. Branson (1958, 1959) reported an additional 23 species from the state, Cox (1962) discussed some forms removed from Sceliphron cementarium (Drury) nests in Marshall County, and Harrell (1962, 1965) reported 20-odd species from various parts of the state. With the exception of occasional records cited by