Schizocosa

Members of the genus Schizocosa are medium to large in size, usually ranging from 5 to 15 mm in body length, but potentially reaching as large as 28 mm. They are strong-legged spiders with relatively keen eyesight that carry their bodies high.^[3]

The carapace when viewed from above is truncate or somewhat concave at the posterior margin and smoothly convex along the lateral margins. It is narrowed and steeply sloped at the level of the first leg's coxa. When viewed laterally, the carapace is uniform in height from the dorsal groove to the level of the third row of eyes and slightly concave along the dorsal line.^[3]

The dorsal fovea is long, distinct, and shallow. The lateral areas are dark red-brown to nearly black, usually streaked with black, while pale submarginal bands are usually narrow but distinct and sometimes broken into spots. The eye area and the highest part of the carapace are black.^[3]

The eyes of the first row are uniform in size, or the anterior median eyes are slightly larger than the anterior lateral eyes. The first row of eyes is procurved and relatively narrow.^[3]

The abdomen in dorsal view is approximately ovoid, usually with a distinct dark heart mark that extends posteriorly one-half or more of the abdomen's length. The legs are moderately long and stout with strong macrosetae.^[3]