Piratula cantralli
This record describes Piratula cantralli (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Females are (so far) indistinguishable from Piratula insularis , even when comparing the epigynes. Males are easily separated by the swollen tibiae and metatarsi of legs I and II, and by the long, curly setae on the underside of the first metatarsi. (This page was created because BugGuide had a specimen someone identified as this species, however it turned out not to be that species.)
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Marshes and on plants in mudflats.
Geographic Range
Western Northwest Territories to New Brunswick, south to Michigan.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: (Wallace & Exline, 1978)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Piratula cantralli. 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 Piratula cantralli (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Piratula cantralli
What is Piratula cantralli?
Piratula cantralli is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Piratula cantralli?
Body length of adults about 4-6 millimeters.
How do you identify Piratula cantralli?
Females are (so far) indistinguishable from Piratula insularis , even when comparing the epigynes. Males are easily separated by the swollen tibiae and metatarsi of legs I and II, and by the long, curly setae on the underside of the first metatarsi.
Where is Piratula cantralli found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Marshes and on plants in mudflats. |
| Range | Western Northwest Territories to New Brunswick, south to Michigan. |