AraneaeLinyphiidae – Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders

Bathyphantes brevipes

This record describes Bathyphantes brevipes (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.

Identification and Appearance

Bathyphantes brevipes - Bathyphantes brevipes
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins

Color of carapace yellowish to light brown, with sides of thorax narrowly edged in black; dorsum of abdomen pale gray, with an irregular or broken median band of blackish and a row of blackish spots along each side Epigynum ..there's no way you'd find Bathyphantes brevipes in an urban basement. -Rod Crawford

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae (Spiders)
Family
Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
Subfamily
Linyphiinae
Genus
Bathyphantes

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, NB, NF, NS, NT, PQ, YT; AK, CA, OR, WA, WY

About Spiders: the wider group

Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Bathyphantes brevipes. 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.

Explore Araneae families and species →

Photos of Bathyphantes brevipes (5)

Bathyphantes brevipes - photo 1
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins
Bathyphantes brevipes - photo 2
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins
Bathyphantes brevipes - photo 3
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins
Bathyphantes brevipes - photo 4
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins
Bathyphantes brevipes - photo 5
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins

Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins

Frequently Asked Questions About Bathyphantes brevipes

What is Bathyphantes brevipes?

Bathyphantes brevipes is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.

How big is Bathyphantes brevipes?
FeatureDetails
Male2.9mm
Female3.0mm
How do you identify Bathyphantes brevipes?

Color of carapace yellowish to light brown, with sides of thorax narrowly edged in black; dorsum of abdomen pale gray, with an irregular or broken median band of blackish and a row of blackish spots along each side Epigynum

Where is Bathyphantes brevipes found?

Range: According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, BC, NB, NF, NS, NT, PQ, YT; AK, CA, OR, WA, WY

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.