Philodromidae

Last updated

Running crab spiders
Temporal range: Cretaceous–present
Philodromus praelustris.jpg
Philodromus sp.
Philodromid-crab-spider-frontal-mze.jpg
Running crab spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Philodromidae
Thorell, 1870
Diversity
30 genera, 648 species
Distribution.philodromidae.1.png

Philodromidae, also known as philodromid crab spiders and running crab spiders, is a family of araneomorph spiders first described by Tord Tamerlan Teodor Thorell in 1870 (then known as subfamily Philodrominae within Thomisidae). [1] It contains over 500 species in thirty genera. [2]

Contents

The most common genus is Philodromus which is widespread, similar to Ebo. [2] Other common genera include the elongate grass-dwelling Tibellus and the widespread Thanatus , which includes the house crab spider that commonly captures flies on and in buildings. [3]

Description

One found in Washington, USA Running Crab Spider (30559741563).jpg
One found in Washington, USA

Philodromids have a crab-like shape due to the first two pairs of legs being oriented sideways (laterigrade). [4] This is superficially similar to the "true" crab spiders (Thomisidae), such as Misumena vatia, but these families are not as closely related as previously thought. [5] Unlike crab spiders, the legs are generally similar in size, though the second leg pair may be significantly longer than the first pair. [4] [5] This is most evident in Ebo , where the second pair of legs are twice as long as the first pair in some species. [5] Philodromids have scopula only at the tips of the tarsi (unlike sparassids) and the eyes are in two curved rows with the posterior row wider than the anterior row. [4] In terms of colouration, they are usually cream to light brown and have faint longitudinal stripes. [6]

Ecology

A species of Philodromidae in Portugal on a Norfolk Island pine leaf (Araucaria heterophylla) Running crab spider (Philodromidae) on Norfolk Island pine leaf (Araucaria heterophylla, Jardim da Praca de Londres, Lisbon, Portugal julesvernex2.jpg
A species of Philodromidae in Portugal on a Norfolk Island pine leaf (Araucaria heterophylla)

Philodromidae are active predators and often occur on the stems and leaves of plants. [7] Some occur only on deciduous trees and others only on conifers. [7] A small number of species live in deserts. [7] Instead of building webs to catch prey, they hunt by ambush. [6]

Genera

As of April 2019, the World Spider Catalog accepts the following genera: [2]

incertae sedis

See also

References

  1. ↑ Thorell, T. (1870). "On European spiders". Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis. 3 (7): 109–242.
  2. 1 2 3 "Family: Philodromidae Thorell, 1870". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  3. ↑ Kulczyński, W. (1903). "Aranearum et Opilionum species in insula Creta a comite Dre Carolo Attems collectae". Bulletin International de l'Académie des Sciences de Cracovie. 1903: 50.
  4. 1 2 3 "araneae - Key to families". araneae.nmbe.ch. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  5. 1 2 3 Homann, H. (1975). "Die Stellung der Thomisidae und der Philodromidae im System der Araneae (Chelicerata, Arachnida)". Zeitschrift für Morphologie der Tiere. 80 (3): 181–202. doi:10.1007/BF00285652. S2CID   2027596.
  6. 1 2 "PHILODROMIDAE Philodromids". www.arachne.org.au. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  7. 1 2 3 "Philodromid Crab Spiders - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
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