Allocosa mulaiki
This record describes Allocosa mulaiki (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Carapace | Carapace dark red brown to nearly black, sometimes iridescent, darker at margins, with few setae. Sternum orange brown. Chelicerae dark red or red brown. |
| Legs | Legs dark orange or red brown, sparsely covered with setae; femora and tibiae each with 2 indistinct, dark rings. Abdominal dorsum dull red, densely reticulated with black; venter dull yellow, with few small, black spots. |
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"The recorded habitats for mulaiki are grassy fields, lake margins, bogs, swamps, and a pine forest."
Geographic Range
USA; Texas and Arkansas, east to Florida and North Carolina.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: (Gertsch, 1934)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Allocosa mulaiki. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Allocosa mulaiki
What is Allocosa mulaiki?
Allocosa mulaiki is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Allocosa mulaiki?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 3.8-5.6mm |
| Female | 4.5-7.3mm |
How do you identify Allocosa mulaiki?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Carapace | Carapace dark red brown to nearly black, sometimes iridescent, darker at margins, with few setae. Sternum orange brown. Chelicerae dark red or red brown. |
| Legs | Legs dark orange or red brown, sparsely covered with setae; femora and tibiae each with 2 indistinct, dark rings. Abdominal dorsum dull red, densely reticulated with black; venter dull yellow, with few small, black spots. |
Where is Allocosa mulaiki found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The recorded habitats for mulaiki are grassy fields, lake margins, bogs, swamps, and a pine forest. |
| Range | USA; Texas and Arkansas, east to Florida and North Carolina. |