Sergiolus columbianus
This record describes Sergiolus columbianus (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Male (ID confirmed by Rod Crawford):
Identification notes
Male (ID confirmed by Rod Crawford):
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Sergiolus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Have been collected in pine and oak forests; in chaparral, sage, pinyon pine, and juniper stands; in grass; under stones, boards, and beach drift; and in houses.
Geographic Range
Vancouver Island to South Dakota, south to California and Arizona.
Seasonal Activity
Mature males of S. columbianus have been taken from March to August, mature females from May to September and in December.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Sergiolus columbianus. 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 Sergiolus columbianus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Sergiolus columbianus
What is Sergiolus columbianus?
Sergiolus columbianus is a species in the family Gnaphosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Sergiolus columbianus?
Body length of female 7.5mm; body length of male 6mm.
How do you identify Sergiolus columbianus?
Male (ID confirmed by Rod Crawford):
Where is Sergiolus columbianus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Have been collected in pine and oak forests; in chaparral, sage, pinyon pine, and juniper stands; in grass; under stones, boards, and beach drift; and in houses. |
| Range | Vancouver Island to South Dakota, south to California and Arizona. |
When is Sergiolus columbianus active?
Sergiolus columbianus: seasonal activity - Mature males of S. columbianus have been taken from March to August, mature females from May to September and in December..