Okefenokee Fishing Spider
Dolomedes okefinokensis
This record describes Dolomedes okefinokensis (species). Recorded family: Dolomedidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
This species is not distinguishable from D. tenebrosus without looking at characteristics of the palp/epigynum (Carico, 1973). Adult female D. okefinokensis may actually be the largest species of Dolomedes . See the measurements given in Bishop's original description (females attain 30mm in body length) and in Carico 1973. The next largest is D. tenebrosus , the adult females reaching up to 26mm in body length.
Wikipedia reference for Dolomedes okefinokensis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolomedes okefinokensis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Dolomedidae (Fishing Spiders)
- Genus
- Dolomedes (Fishing Spiders)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Carico (1973) says they are typically collected in swampy areas where they perch vertically on trees. Bishop (1924) says they may stray away from water as in the case of Dolomedes tenebrosus .
Geographic Range
Georgia & Florida according to Carico's revision , but also Alabama & Louisiana according to the original description by Bishop .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Usually aquatic insects but also small fish, tadpoles, frogs, etc.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dolomedes okefinokensis Bishop, 1924 Okefinokee (the name of the swamp) + -ensis, a Latin ending that means "found at, living in (a place)"
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Dolomedes okefinokensis. 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 Okefenokee Fishing Spider (6)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cheins , Chuck Entz , Mandy Howe , Nathaniel Green , chuuuuung
Frequently Asked Questions About Okefenokee Fishing Spider
What is Okefenokee Fishing Spider?
Okefenokee Fishing Spider (Dolomedes okefinokensis) is a species in the family Dolomedidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Okefenokee Fishing Spider?
Body length of adult female ~30mm, of adult male ~8mm.
How do you identify Okefenokee Fishing Spider?
This species is not distinguishable from D. tenebrosus without looking at characteristics of the palp/epigynum (Carico, 1973).
Where is Okefenokee Fishing Spider found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Carico (1973) says they are typically collected in swampy areas where they perch vertically on trees. Bishop (1924) says they may stray away from water as in the case of Dolomedes tenebrosus . |
| Range | Georgia & Florida according to Carico's revision , but also Alabama & Louisiana according to the original description by Bishop . |
What does Okefenokee Fishing Spider eat?
The diet of the Okefenokee Fishing Spider includes Usually aquatic insects but also small fish, tadpoles, frogs, etc..