Phidippus aureus
This record describes Phidippus aureus (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Female Phidippus aureus is a rare species within the purpuratus complex and is closest in affinity to species like P. ardens/ apacheanus . Widespread, but never common- this is a smaller-sized member of the group- closer to P. ardens ' size. As a result, these are generally predated upon by the much larger syntopic species like P. johnsoni and P. californicus - both can reach 18mm as opposed to P. aureus ' smaller size -- Marcus bullock, 3 October, 2022
Identification notes
Female
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Phidippus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
This species is only known from California
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Phidippus aureus. 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 Phidippus aureus (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Phidippus aureus
What is Phidippus aureus?
Phidippus aureus is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Phidippus aureus?
Female
Where is Phidippus aureus found?
Range: This species is only known from California