Nearctic Species of the New Wolf Spider Genus Gladicosa (Araneae: Lycosidae)

This is the second paper in a projected series of systematic studies of the Nearctic Lycosidae described primarily in the genus Lycosa. Over 50 species of medium to large size wolf spiders from the Nearctic Region have been placed in this genus. However, recent studies indicate that several distinct genera are included under Lycosa. Matters have been complicated at the generic level by C. F. Roewer (1954) who listed 44 new genera of Lycosinae in the Katalog der Araneae. They are nomina nuda, lacking descriptions. Later Roewer (1959, 1960) defined these 44 genera, thus validating the names, and added seven more new ones to the Lycosinae as well. These genera were established primarily on the basis of differences in the number of posterior cheliceral teeth and eye arrangement (particularly eyes of the anterior row). Investigations of North American Lycosidae (Brady 1962, 1972, 1979) indicate that the number of posterior cheliceral teeth is an unreliable character in delimiting genera. Recent studies indicate that color patterns on the dorsal surface of the carapace, length of legs relative to body size, and particularly the structure of the male and female genitalia are most reliable in determining generic relationships. Certain features of the eye arrangement, as well as information about habitat, behavior, and life history are also useful. In the final analysis, it is the unique combination of all these features that should be employed to distinguish genera.