Ravine Trapdoor Spider
Cyclocosmia truncata
This record describes Cyclocosmia truncata (species). Recorded family: Halonoproctidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
According to a phylogenetic analysis (Deep genetic divergence in the Deep South: An integrative approach to species delimitation reveals the paraphyletic nature of speciation in the trapdoor spider genus Cyclocosmia ), the northern and southern populations of this species may actually be separate species, although no morphological differences are known.
Wikipedia reference for Cyclocosmia truncata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclocosmia truncata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Halonoproctidae (Cork-lid trapdoor spiders)
- Genus
- Cyclocosmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
central Tennessee, northern Alabama, northwestern Georgia
Seasonal Activity
Males are typically found from August to November.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin: "cut off, shortened"
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Cyclocosmia truncata. 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 Ravine Trapdoor Spider (9)
Photo credits: Contributed by Christopher Hunt; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , dragonfly12 , mhedin
Frequently Asked Questions About Ravine Trapdoor Spider
What is Ravine Trapdoor Spider?
Ravine Trapdoor Spider (Cyclocosmia truncata) is a species in the family Halonoproctidae, within the order Araneae.
Where is Ravine Trapdoor Spider found?
Range: central Tennessee, northern Alabama, northwestern Georgia
When is Ravine Trapdoor Spider active?
Ravine Trapdoor Spider: seasonal activity - Males are typically found from August to November..