Castianeira dorsata
This record describes Castianeira dorsata (species). Recorded family: Corinnidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Palp Epigynum Also, see the content associated with this specimen:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Corinnidae (Antmimics and Ground Sac Spiders)
- Genus
- Castianeira
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Arizona south into Mexico but BugGuide data indicates this species may occur east to Texas as well. (TX: NSR per BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Castianeira dorsata (Banks)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Castianeira dorsata. 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 Castianeira dorsata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Sloan; Additional contributions by cheins , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Castianeira dorsata
What is Castianeira dorsata?
Castianeira dorsata is a species in the family Corinnidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Castianeira dorsata?
Palp Epigynum Also, see the content associated with this specimen:
Where is Castianeira dorsata found?
Range: Arizona south into Mexico but BugGuide data indicates this species may occur east to Texas as well. (TX: NSR per BG data)