Ozyptila simplex
This record describes Ozyptila simplex (species). Recorded family: Thomisidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Body length male: 2-5mm. Prosoma yellow-brown, legs yellow-brown with femur darker than remaining segments. Opisthosoma yellow-brown. Identification of this species Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia. Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press. Associated with sand-hills, coastal grasslands, estuarine habitats and occasionally inland grassland habitats including fens and reed-beds. Scattered distribution in the southern half of Britain. https://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Ozyptila+simplex No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Thomisidae
- Genus
- Ozyptila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with sand-hills, coastal grasslands, estuarine habitats and occasionally inland grassland habitats including fens and reed-beds.
Seasonal Activity
All year.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Scattered distribution in the southern half of Britain.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Ozyptila simplex. 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 Ozyptila simplex (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ozyptila simplex
What is Ozyptila simplex?
Ozyptila simplex is a species in the family Thomisidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Ozyptila simplex?
male: 2-5mm. Prosoma yellow-brown, legs yellow-brown with femur darker than remaining segments. Opisthosoma yellow-brown.
Where is Ozyptila simplex found?
Habitat: Associated with sand-hills, coastal grasslands, estuarine habitats and occasionally inland grassland habitats including fens and reed-beds.
When is Ozyptila simplex active?
Ozyptila simplex: seasonal activity - All year..