Leptofreya ambigua
This record describes Leptofreya ambigua (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Leptofreya ambigua is a species of jumping spider. The species was first described by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1846.
Identification notes
Male Female Juvenile
Wikipedia reference for Leptofreya ambigua: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptofreya_ambigua.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Leptofreya
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Includes open patches of vegetation (herbaceous plants, small bushes, tree saplings) in woodland and along trails, as well as vegetation along bodies of water.
Geographic Range
Introduced to southernmost parts of Texas (Hidalgo & Cameron Co.) and Florida. (Native range is northern South America from Colombia to French Guiana and northern Brazil.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Leptofreya ambigua (C. L. Koch, 1846)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Leptofreya ambigua. 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 Leptofreya ambigua (10)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lyn Atherton; Additional contributions by cheins , Mike Quinn , Dick Walton , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Leptofreya ambigua
What is Leptofreya ambigua?
Leptofreya ambigua is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Leptofreya ambigua?
Body length 5-8 mm
How do you identify Leptofreya ambigua?
Male Female Juvenile
Where is Leptofreya ambigua found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Includes open patches of vegetation (herbaceous plants, small bushes, tree saplings) in woodland and along trails, as well as vegetation along bodies of water. |
| Range | Introduced to southernmost parts of Texas (Hidalgo & Cameron Co.) and Florida. (Native range is northern South America from Colombia to French Guiana and northern Brazil.) |