Agnyphantes arboreus
This record describes Agnyphantes arboreus (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cephalothorax | Cephalothorax dull yellow, strongly suffused with dusky, darker at the margin and in a shield-shaped spot in front of dorsal groove. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen light with scattered silvery spots, marked by a dark median longitudinal stripe with several lateral projections, tip dark, the sides with a dark and light stripe. (Abdomen of female lighter) Epigynum (ventral/lateral) |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Linyphiinae
- Genus
- Agnyphantes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Up to 7,000 feet in elevation.
Geographic Range
This species is known from Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, and Alberta . The American Arachnological Society indicates British Columbia as well.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Agnyphantes arboreus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Agnyphantes arboreus (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Agnyphantes arboreus
What is Agnyphantes arboreus?
Agnyphantes arboreus is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Agnyphantes arboreus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 2.2mm |
| Female | 2.5-2.8mm |
How do you identify Agnyphantes arboreus?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cephalothorax | Cephalothorax dull yellow, strongly suffused with dusky, darker at the margin and in a shield-shaped spot in front of dorsal groove. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen light with scattered silvery spots, marked by a dark median longitudinal stripe with several lateral projections, tip dark, the sides with a dark and light stripe. (Abdomen of female lighter) Epigynum (ventral/lateral) |
Where is Agnyphantes arboreus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Up to 7,000 feet in elevation. |
| Range | This species is known from Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, and Alberta . The American Arachnological Society indicates British Columbia as well. |