Philodromus californicus
This record describes Philodromus californicus (species). Recorded family: Philodromidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Epigynum: Regarding intraspecific variation: Re-examination of most of the available material of P. californicus convinces us that this is a variable species in size, color and external genitalia... More specifically, we point out the variation in the depth of the cleft in the retrolateral apophysis on the male palpal tibia (figs. 29-31, 33), in the number of points on the ventral apophysis, and in the length of the embolus emargination. There is some evidence for the existence of a coastal and perhaps two inland populations, but the available material is, in our opinion, too scanty to support named subspecies or species .
Identification notes
Epigynum:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Philodromidae (Running Crab Spiders)
- Genus
- Philodromus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Specimens have been collected from oak and under loose bark of various deciduous trees ".
Geographic Range
"Northern Mexico and California to British Columbia, eastward to New Mexico and Colorado ".
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Philodromus californicus. 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 Philodromus californicus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Philodromus californicus
What is Philodromus californicus?
Philodromus californicus is a species in the family Philodromidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Philodromus californicus?
Epigynum:
Where is Philodromus californicus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Specimens have been collected from oak and under loose bark of various deciduous trees . |
| Range | Northern Mexico and California to British Columbia, eastward to New Mexico and Colorado . |