Psilochorus papago
This record describes Psilochorus papago (species). Recorded family: Pholcidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The barb appearance on the spur and the slit procursus with the longer dorsal side separates this species from all other male species with truncated spurs. The low MEP ridges and wide PEP projection on the epigynum will separate it from all other females .
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern California, Arizona and western New Mexico, into Mexico .
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Psilochorus papago. 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 papago (2)
Photo credits: (c) Diego Barrales, all rights reserved, uploaded by Diego Barrales | Contributed by Ken Schneider
Frequently Asked Questions About Psilochorus papago
What is Psilochorus papago?
Psilochorus papago is a species in the family Pholcidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Psilochorus papago?
The barb appearance on the spur and the slit procursus with the longer dorsal side separates this species from all other male species with truncated spurs. The low MEP ridges and wide PEP projection on the epigynum will separate it from all other females .
Where is Psilochorus papago found?
Range: Southern California, Arizona and western New Mexico, into Mexico .