Long-bodied Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)

May 9, 2026

Sample information
Picture
Entry by: Luana D.
Location
Collection date 02/25/2026
Captive / Cultivated? Wild-caught
Group Berkshire Community College
Observations

The specimen was found at 6:00 AM in a residential basement. It was situated in an irregular, tangled web in a dark, undisturbed corner near the ceiling. The environment was cool and dimly lit. The arthropod was alive and active at the time of collection.
Putative identification Arthropoda Arachnida Araneae

Methods
Extraction kit pcr
DNA extraction location Berkshire Community College Lab
Single or Duplex PCR Duplex Reaction
Gel electrophoresis system Standard electrophoresis system
Buffer TAE
DNA stain SYBR Safe
Gel images
Protocol notes

PCR was set up using a duplex reaction with both Arthropod CO1 and Wolbachia 16S primers. Annealing temperature was set to 49°C. Taq polymerase used was New England Biolabs OneTaq Hot Start Quick-Load 2X Master Mix with Standard Buffer.

Results
Wolbachia presence No
Confidence level Low
Explanation of confidence level

The Anthropoid band were very faint. This indicates a low concentration of template DNA. Since the specimen was collected two weeks post-mortem, DNA degradation likely reduced the efficiency of the PCR amplification, making it difficult to distinguish true bands from background noise.
Wolbachia 16S sequence
Arthropod COI sequence
Summary The Araneae was found to be negative for Wolbachia.
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