Neospintharus furcatus
This record describes Neospintharus furcatus (species). Recorded family: Theridiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Head of male has two short median processes; one on clypeus extending upward, and one above medial eyes, both bearing stiff hairs at tips. (Banks, 1908)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders)
- Genus
- Neospintharus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
N. furcatus seems to only be found throughout the Gulf states, from South Carolina south.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Neospintharus furcatus. 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 Neospintharus furcatus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kevin Pfeiffer; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Neospintharus furcatus
What is Neospintharus furcatus?
Neospintharus furcatus is a species in the family Theridiidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Neospintharus furcatus?
Head of male has two short median processes; one on clypeus extending upward, and one above medial eyes, both bearing stiff hairs at tips. (Banks, 1908)
Where is Neospintharus furcatus found?
Range: N. furcatus seems to only be found throughout the Gulf states, from South Carolina south.