EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Sombrero Spider

Sombrero Spider (Stiphidion sp., cf. facetum), Family Stiphidiidae
Pureora Forest Park, North Island, New Zealand

Explanation:  While I was exploring the wonderful Pureora Forest Park of North Island, New Zealand, I happened upon this sombrero spider exploring its realm of a decaying log on the forest floor.  Also known as sheetweb spiders, sombrero spiders of many species are widely distributed mostly in New Zealand and Australia.  

This species is likely Stiphidion facetum, a highly competitive spider.  One source lists it as "introduced and naturalised" in New Zealand.  

But why do they have those names?  Sheetweb spider makes sense, as they construct sheeted webs beneath ground cover objects such as logs and rocks.  But ... "sombrero?"  

Upon a cursory search, I did not find an etymology for the name "sombrero."  It is an oddity, because at least my dictionary defines "sombrero" as a straw hat with a tall crown and broad brim as worn in Mexico and the American southwest ... and also, as a proper noun Sombrero, the name of one of the islands of Saint Christopher-Nevis of the Caribbean archipelago, 8,674 miles (13,960 km) from New Zealand!  

Perhaps the body and the widely-spread legs of the sombrero spider conjures the image of the central peak and wide brim of sombrero hats ... ?  Or its sheetweb structure conjures the hat?  

Acknowledgment:
    My thanks to New Zealand biologist and professor and colleague Steve Pawson for guiding me to the identification of this species.