Metaphidippus chera
This record describes Metaphidippus chera (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Male Palp Female Epigynum Maddison describes this species as one of the most common salticids in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico .
Identification notes
Male Palp Female Epigynum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Metaphidippus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
"Texas west to California, Nevada south to Baja California del Sur and San Luis Potosi ".
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Metaphidippus chera. 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 Metaphidippus chera (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jay Barnes; Additional contributions by cheins , Dick Walton , kschnei
Frequently Asked Questions About Metaphidippus chera
What is Metaphidippus chera?
Metaphidippus chera is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Metaphidippus chera?
3.4-5.0 mm
How do you identify Metaphidippus chera?
Male Palp Female Epigynum
Where is Metaphidippus chera found?
Range: Texas west to California, Nevada south to Baja California del Sur and San Luis Potosi .