Heser schmitzi
This record describes Heser schmitzi (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to Heser nilicola , which is also found in California, but can be distinguished by details of the genitalic morphology. Palp Epigynum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Heser
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
"Known only from Spain, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and (probably introduced into) California ". Range is expanding in California .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Species author is Kulczynski 1899.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Heser schmitzi. 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 Heser schmitzi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Heser schmitzi
What is Heser schmitzi?
Heser schmitzi is a species in the family Gnaphosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Heser schmitzi?
About 2.5-3.1 mm.
How do you identify Heser schmitzi?
Similar to Heser nilicola , which is also found in California, but can be distinguished by details of the genitalic morphology. Palp Epigynum
Where is Heser schmitzi found?
Range: Known only from Spain, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and (probably introduced into) California . Range is expanding in California .