Lilliputters onder de spinnen levend determineren

A simple method for determining live specimens of small spiders is proposed. The spiders are wetted in water until they stop moving and are promptly dried by placing it on an absorbent tissue. The motionless spider can be turned in all positions needed for magnification of male palps, female epigynes, etc. during appr. one minute. If more time is needed for species determination the ‘awaking’ spider can be wetted again. The treatment does not seem to have deleterious effects on the survival of the spiders. It offers the possibility of determining anatomical and behavioural characteristics of juvenile specimens of which the species identity can be ascertained later on because they can be kept alive and used for reproduction in the laboratory.