The critical thermal maximum (CTMax) of Peucetia viridans Hentz 1832 adult spiders was determined in the laboratory. Mean temperature at death was higher for gravid spiders (49.4° C) than for postparturient females (47.2° C) and males (46.9° C). Painted copper spider models placed in the environment to examine available temperatures predicted that spider body temperatures would rarely exceed 40° C thus making it unlikely for P. viridans to naturally reach CTMax, at least in the climate of central Tennessee.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.