Tetragnatha nitens
This record describes Tetragnatha nitens (species). Recorded family: Tetragnathidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Not diagnostic, but can separate some species:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Tetragnathidae (Long-jawed Orb Weavers)
- Genus
- Tetragnatha (Longjawed Orbweavers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern USA (Florida to California)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tetragnatha nitens (Audouin, 1826)
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Tetragnatha nitens. 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 Tetragnatha nitens (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Tetragnatha nitens
What is Tetragnatha nitens?
Tetragnatha nitens is a species in the family Tetragnathidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Tetragnatha nitens?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 7.4-11.0 mm |
| Male | Length 5.2-10.1 mm |
How do you identify Tetragnatha nitens?
Not diagnostic, but can separate some species:
Where is Tetragnatha nitens found?
Range: Southern USA (Florida to California)