Latrodectus is a broadly distributed genus of spiders with several species that, together, are referred to as true widows. This group is composed of those often loosely called black widow spiders, brown widow spiders, and similar spiders. However, such general "common names" are of limited use as the diversity of species is much greater. A member of the family Theridiidae, this genus contains 32 species, which include several North American "black widows". In addition to these in North America are also the red widow Latrodectus bishopi and the brown widow Latrodectus geometricus, which, in addition to North America, has a much wider geographic distribution. Elsewhere, others include the European black widow, the Australian redback black widow, several different species in Southern Africa that can be called Button spiders, and the South American black widow spiders. Species vary widely in size. In most cases, the females are dark-coloured, but some may have lighter bodies or even reddish. Many can have red, white or brown markings on the upper-side (dorsal) of the abdomen. Some can be readily identifiable by reddish markings on the central underside (ventral) abdomen, which are often hourglass-shaped.
The Japanese spider crab is a species of marine crab that lives in the waters around Japan. It has the largest leg span of any arthropod. These giants go through three main larval stages along with a prezoeal stage in order to grow to their great size. The genus Macrocheira contains multiple species. Two fossil species of this genus have been found, Macrocheira ginzanensis and Macrocheira yabei, both from the Miocene of Japan. The diverse taxonomic history is an important part of what these creatures are and how they evolved to be what they are today. These creatures are not isolated however, as they are the subject of fishery and are considered a delicacy. Conservation efforts are being put forth to protect these creatures and their population from the dangers of overfishing.
André Jean Baptiste Robineau-Desvoidy was a French physician and entomologist specialising in the study of Diptera (flies) and to some extent of the Coleoptera (beetles).
Araneus is a genus of common orb-weaving spiders. It includes about 650 species, among which are the European garden spider and the barn spider. The genus was erected by Carl Alexander Clerck in 1757.
Zeuxippus is a genus of Asian jumping spiders that was first described by Tamerlan Thorell in 1891. They look similar to members of Rhene, but their abdomen is longer, more obtuse, and thinner. In addition, the first pair of legs is thicker than the others.
Periegops is a genus of spiders with six eyes instead of the usual eight. It is the only genus in its family (Periegopidae) and has three described species. It was long considered to be members of Sicariidae or Segestriidae until Raymond Forster elevated them to the family level in 1995.
The sargassum fish, anglerfish, or frog fish is a frogfish of the family Antennariidae, the only species in its genus. It lives among Sargassum seaweed which floats in subtropical oceans. The scientific name comes from the Latin histrio meaning a stage player or actor, and refers to the fish's feeding behaviour.
Eos is a genus of parrots belonging to the lories and lorikeets tribe of the family Psittaculidae. There are six species which are all endemic to islands of eastern Indonesia, most within very restricted ranges. They have predominantly red plumage with blue, purple or black markings. Males and females are similar in appearance.
Porrhothele is a genus of mygalomorph spiders endemic to New Zealand. They are the only members of the family Porrhothelidae. They were first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1892. Originally placed with the curtain web spiders, it was moved to the Hexathelidae in 1980, they were placed in their own family in 2018.
Attus is a taxon name that is now considered a junior synonym of Salticus. In the early 19th century, most jumping spiders were grouped together as a single genus under the name Attus.
Iris histrio, the Syrian iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is classified in the subgenus Hermodactyloides and section Reticulatae. It is a bulbous perennial from Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and southern Turkey.
Cepheia is a monotypic genus of European araneomorph spiders in the family Synaphridae containing the single species, Cepheia longiseta. It was first described as Theonoe longiseta in 1881, and was moved to its own genus in 1894. Originally placed with the tangle-web spiders, it was moved several times before settling in the Synaphridae in 2003. Paolo Brignoli noted that it is an unidentifiable theridiid.
Rogmocrypta elegans is a species of spiders in the jumping spider family, Salticidae. It is the type species of its genus. It is found in New Caledonia and the Philippines.
Tagulinus is a genus of spiders in the family Thomisidae. It was first described in 1903 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Tagulinus histrio, found in Vietnam.
Rhysodromus is a genus of spiders in the family Philodromidae. It was first described in 1965 by Schick. As of 2017, it contains 26 species.
Silometopus elegans is a species of spiders in the family Linyphiidae found in Europe. It was first described by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1873, as Erigone elegans. It was transferred to the genus Silometopus by Eugène Simon in 1884.
Azilia is a genus of long-jawed orb-weavers that was first described by Eugen von Keyserling in 1881. It is a senior synonym of Cardimia.
Rhysodromus alascensis is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It is found in North America, Russia (Sibiria), Kazakhstan, and China.
Rhysodromus mysticus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It is found in Russia, the United States, and Canada.
