'Hogna' ceratiola
Schizocosa ceratiola
This record describes Schizocosa ceratiola (species). Recorded family: Lycosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Variation in the epigynum seems to be an unreliable means of ID as stated by Wallace. Epigyne of females pictured here resemble the drawing in Wallace, 1942 of H. psuedoceratiola , but the male palpal organs are distinctly ceratiola as illustrated in Wallace, 1937. Probably sympatric with Hogna osceola throughout FL range. Found together in Highlands, St. Lucie, and Martin, however, osceola also inhabits areas ceratiola does not. Sympatric with other Hogna species as well, but ceratiola seems to be the most abundant in the areas where it occurs.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Various sandy habitats, primarily xeric scrub. Generally a sit and wait predator on ground, also climbs shrubs several inches to a foot above ground, occasionally found several feet high.
Geographic Range
Recorded from central and eastern peninsular FL, may occur throughout the state, and similar sandy habitats in GA.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: None given, but most likely due to its preferred habitat of sandy areas, where Florida rosemary, Ceratiola ericoides , often occurs.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Schizocosa ceratiola. 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 'Hogna' ceratiola (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About 'Hogna' ceratiola
What is 'Hogna' ceratiola?
'Hogna' ceratiola (Schizocosa ceratiola) is a species in the family Lycosidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify 'Hogna' ceratiola?
Variation in the epigynum seems to be an unreliable means of ID as stated by Wallace. Epigyne of females pictured here resemble the drawing in Wallace, 1942 of H. psuedoceratiola , but the male palpal organs are distinctly ceratiola as illustrated in Wallace, 1937.
Where is 'Hogna' ceratiola found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Various sandy habitats, primarily xeric scrub. Generally a sit and wait predator on ground, also climbs shrubs several inches to a foot above ground, occasionally found several feet high. |
| Range | Recorded from central and eastern peninsular FL, may occur throughout the state, and similar sandy habitats in GA. |