Psilochorus californiae
This record describes Psilochorus californiae (species). Recorded family: Pholcidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Voucher female: Voucher male:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California south to Northern Mexico.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Psilochorus californiae. 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 Psilochorus californiae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by R.J. Adams; Additional contributions by cheins , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Psilochorus californiae
How big is Psilochorus californiae?
Body length (excluding legs) is about 2.04 - 3.44 mm. Males average smaller than females.
How do you identify Psilochorus californiae?
Voucher female: Voucher male:
Where is Psilochorus californiae found?
Range: California south to Northern Mexico.