Philodromus spectabilis
This record describes Philodromus spectabilis (species). Recorded family: Philodromidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
P. spectabilis has 8 white triangles around the rim of the carapace (at each leg base) pointing inward, and the intersegmental membranes at each leg joint are conspicuously bright shiny white; the abdomen is purplish with a series of narrow, somewhat blurry but still obvious chevrons occupying the rear part of the abdomen (but the front 2/3 in preserved specimens). ~ Rod Crawford Palp: Epigynum (ventral/dorsal):
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
Geographic Range
New Mexico north to Alberta and west to the ocean. Commonest in western coniferous forest zone. ~ Rod Crawford
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Philodromus spectabilis. 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 spectabilis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Philodromus spectabilis
What is Philodromus spectabilis?
Philodromus spectabilis is a species in the family Philodromidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Philodromus spectabilis?
P. spectabilis has 8 white triangles around the rim of the carapace (at each leg base) pointing inward, and the intersegmental membranes at each leg joint are conspicuously bright shiny white; the abdomen is purplish with a series of narrow, somewhat blurry but still obvious chevrons occupying the rear part of the abdomen (but the front 2/3 in preserved specimens). ~ Rod Crawford Palp: Epigynum (ventral/dorsal):
Where is Philodromus spectabilis found?
Range: New Mexico north to Alberta and west to the ocean. Commonest in western coniferous forest zone. ~ Rod Crawford