Ceraticelus artemisiae
This record describes Ceraticelus artemisiae (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Erigoninae
- Genus
- Ceraticelus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Coastal sage scrub communities (Prentice & Radak, 2009)
Geographic Range
Southern California (Riverside & San Diego Counties) (Prentice & Radak, 2009)
Seasonal Activity
Adult males: early May to August Adult females: May to December (Prentice & Radak, 2009)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ceraticelus artemisiae Prentice & Redak, 2009 This species was named after the genus for sagebrush: Artemisia
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Ceraticelus artemisiae. 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 Ceraticelus artemisiae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Rosenfeld; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceraticelus artemisiae
How big is Ceraticelus artemisiae?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Males | ~1.50-1.85mm |
| Females | ~1.45-1.80mm (Prentice & Radak, 2009) |
Where is Ceraticelus artemisiae found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Coastal sage scrub communities (Prentice & Radak, 2009) |
| Range | Southern California (Riverside & San Diego Counties) (Prentice & Radak, 2009) |
When is Ceraticelus artemisiae active?
Ceraticelus artemisiae: seasonal activity - Adult males: early May to August Adult females: May to December (Prentice & Radak, 2009).