Rhysodromus histrio
This record describes Rhysodromus histrio (species). Recorded family: Philodromidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Epigynum: Palp:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Philodromidae (Running Crab Spiders)
- Genus
- Rhysodromus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
" P. histrio has been swept from sagebrush in the west and from heath plants, weeds and tall grasses east of the Rocky Mountains" .
Geographic Range
"Southern British Columbia to Nova Scotia, southward to Mexico; Europe ".
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Rhysodromus histrio. 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 Rhysodromus histrio (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cheins , kschnei
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhysodromus histrio
How big is Rhysodromus histrio?
Female 6.25 mm, male 5.0 mm .
How do you identify Rhysodromus histrio?
Epigynum: Palp:
Where is Rhysodromus histrio found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | P. histrio has been swept from sagebrush in the west and from heath plants, weeds and tall grasses east of the Rocky Mountains . |
| Range | Southern British Columbia to Nova Scotia, southward to Mexico; Europe . |