Santa Rosa Wolf Spider
Arctosa sanctaerosae
This record describes Arctosa sanctaerosae (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The white to light orange color and single (as opposed to no) dorsal tibial macroseta.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species is most common in secondary dunes where there is loose, shifting sand.
Geographic Range
Horn Island, MS to Bald Point State Park in Eastern Franklin Co., FL.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from autumn to spring.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the type locality, Santa Rosa Island, FL.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Arctosa sanctaerosae. 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 Santa Rosa Wolf Spider (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Dave Almquist , ceiseman , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Rosa Wolf Spider
What is Santa Rosa Wolf Spider?
Santa Rosa Wolf Spider (Arctosa sanctaerosae) is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Santa Rosa Wolf Spider?
The white to light orange color and single (as opposed to no) dorsal tibial macroseta.
Where is Santa Rosa Wolf Spider found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | This species is most common in secondary dunes where there is loose, shifting sand. |
| Range | Horn Island, MS to Bald Point State Park in Eastern Franklin Co., FL. |
When is Santa Rosa Wolf Spider active?
Santa Rosa Wolf Spider: seasonal activity - Most records are from autumn to spring..