Synageles occidentalis
This record describes Synageles occidentalis (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Palp Epigynum Cutler writes that species often confused with S. noxiosus , but genitalia is very different: Cutler, 1988a
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Synageles
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with several ant species, most commonly Lasius and Crematogaster .
Geographic Range
New Brunswick west to British Columbia and south to Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado and California
Seasonal Activity
Adults collected in most months except January and February, but most commonly May through July (Cutler, 1988a).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Adjective from Latin meaning western, referring to distribution of species in western North America.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Synageles occidentalis. 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 Synageles occidentalis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kevin Pfeiffer; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Synageles occidentalis
What is Synageles occidentalis?
Synageles occidentalis is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Synageles occidentalis?
Male holotype total length: 2.7 mm; female paratype 3.1 mm.
How do you identify Synageles occidentalis?
Palp Epigynum Cutler writes that species often confused with S. noxiosus , but genitalia is very different: Cutler, 1988a
Where is Synageles occidentalis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Associated with several ant species, most commonly Lasius and Crematogaster . |
| Range | New Brunswick west to British Columbia and south to Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado and California |
When is Synageles occidentalis active?
Synageles occidentalis: seasonal activity - Adults collected in most months except January and February, but most commonly May through July (Cutler, 1988a)..