Sphodros atlanticus

Photograph by Al Denelsbeck.

Photography Contest, Honorable Mention.

Purseweb spider, showing specialized mouthparts called chelicerae
Sphodros atlanticus – purseweb spider. Mr. Denelsbeck writes, "The business end of a male purseweb spider. While noticeable from above and seeming to take up far more of the spider's body mass than should be necessary, the chelicerae are most impressive from underneath, with very large fangs and serrated edges for gripping prey. Despite that, these are not large spiders – my specimen here is only 10-12 mm in body length. The females are almost never seen, generally remaining inside the lair that provides their name, usually looking like a small twig against a treetrunk (I've searched, but found nothing of the sort so far). Canon 7D, Canon 18-135 STM at 64 mm and 36 mm extension tube, ISO 200, F/13, 1/200 s with custom softbox flash unit."