Deinopis aurita
This record describes Deinopis aurita (species). Recorded family: Deinopidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Horns above the central posterior eyes. Abdomen with pair of tubercles near the middle.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Deinopidae (Ogrefaced spiders)
- Genus
- Deinopis (Ogrefaced spider)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known from Brownsville, TX, around Resaca de la Palma State Park in the US.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Deinopis aurita. 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 Deinopis aurita (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tyler Hedlund; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Deinopis aurita
What is Deinopis aurita?
Deinopis aurita is a species in the family Deinopidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Deinopis aurita?
Horns above the central posterior eyes. Abdomen with pair of tubercles near the middle.
Where is Deinopis aurita found?
Range: Known from Brownsville, TX, around Resaca de la Palma State Park in the US.