Diguetia signata
This record describes Diguetia signata (species). Recorded family: Diguetidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Diguetidae
- Genus
- Diguetia (Desertshrub Spiders)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In my experience, this species lives in creosote bush flatlands in the Sonoran Desert (the submitted photos are at 1,500' in elevation). Webs are usually built no higher than 1 meter off the ground and contain a central silken tube adorned with the exoskeletons and remains of its prey. When threatened, the spider retreats inside. Small beetles seem to be a frequent prey, but could appear over represented due to their conspicuous remnants in the web. I have not seen this species' web, in my area, in anything other than a creosote bush. - Michael Hughes, 16 December, 2016
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name: Gertsch. Year first published: 1958.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Diguetia signata. 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 Diguetia signata (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban