Spiders

Question 0

Spider phylogeny

Answer 0

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum chelicerata
Class Arachnida
Spiders (araneae), mites (30k), harvestmen (4500), pseudo scorpions (2k)

Question 1

Spider diversity

Answer 1

37000 named species, 160000 estimated in total.

Question 2

Body form

Answer 2

Cephalothorax, carapace
Abdomen
Pedipalps (tip clubbed in males)
Setae
8 simple eyes

Question 3

Theridion

Answer 3

Cobweb builders, not much setae on legs, typical spider body form, although some have tapered or triangular skinny abdomens, second largest spider genus

Includes the widows, several na species, female widow about .5” long

Question 4

Pholcidae

Answer 4

Daddy long leg spiders, cellar spiders
6 or 8 eyes
Males with large palps

Question 5

Linphiinae

Answer 5

Sheet web weavers, abdomen usually longer than wide, hang upside down, one of the largest families

Question 6

Mimetidae

Answer 6

Pirate spiders, 12 species north of Mexico, slow moving, attack host and suck each leg dry.

Question 7

Araneidae or argiopidae

Answer 7

3500 species worldwide, maybe 180 in north america

Araneus is most common genus. Lots of setae on legs in contrast to theridionids

Cyclosa have linear vertical line in center of web to protect view of spider

Larinia directa - legs up above and below so looks like a straight line or stick in center of web

Question 8

Micrathena

Answer 8

Spiny hard glossy abdomen, or web spiders, several species

Question 9

Argiopes

Answer 9

Black and yellow, large spiders. Zig zag pattern in web. Many easily identified by pattern.

Question 10

Agelenidae

Answer 10

Funnel weavers, dew reveals webs in grass.

Tegeneria, European house spider, makes funnel web in damp cellars.

Question 11

Water spider

Answer 11

In Europe Asia. Builds web under water like a bell. Replenishes with air bubbles. Hunts aquatic sow bugs and insects