NEARCTIC SPECIES OF THE WOLF SPIDER 
GENUS TROCHOSA (ARANEAE: LYCOSIDAE)* 
By Allen R. Brady 
Department of Biology, Hope College 
Holland, Michigan 49423 
This is the first in a projected series of systematic studies of the 
Nearctic Lycosidae described in the genra Trochosa and Lycosa. 
One important aspect of the proposed series of revisions will be an 
attempt to delimit generic taxa within the Lycosidae, with special 
reference to Nearctic species. Over 50 species of North American 
Lycosa have been described and most of the medium to large¬ 
bodied wolf spiders are included in this genus at present. However, 
preliminary studies indicate that several distinct species groups, 
which may well represent different genera, have been assembled 
under Lycosa. Before undertaking the larger and more complicated 
task of delimiting genera within the Lycosa complex, it seemed 
logical to gain some idea of generic limits—to develop a yardstick 
whereby the species groups of Lycosa could be measured. Trochosa 
is represented by a small, relatively well-defined, widespread group 
of species. This genus might well serve as a model and yardstick for 
the study of Lycosa and I thought it practical to begin here. 
The genus Trochosa is represented by five species in the Nearctic 
Region. One of the species, T. terricola, is quite common in Western 
and Central Europe (Locket and Millidge 1951, Engelhardt 1964, 
Fuhn and Burlacu 1971) and very likely occurs throughout the tem¬ 
perate parts of the Holarctic Region. The other four species com¬ 
prise a distinct group that is probably restricted to North America. 
Trochosa avara occurs from the eastern coast westward to the 100th 
parallel, while Trochosa gosiuta is found in the southwestern United 
States (Map 2). Trochosa shenandoa occurs along the Atlantic and 
Gulf coasts and extends inland in the central United States as far as 
Kansas and possibly Illinois (Map 3). Trochosa parthenus appears 
in the southeastern United States and is the only species found in the 
Florida peninsula (Map 3). 
North American species of Trochosa, with the exception of she¬ 
nandoa, have been relegated to the genus Lycosa at one time or 
*Manuscript received by the editor November 16, 1979. 
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