Trechalea gertschi
This record describes Trechalea gertschi (species). Recorded family: Trechaleidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
This species behaves similar to Dolomedes in that it can walk on the surface of water and will even occasionally submerge itself.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Trechaleidae
- Genus
- Trechalea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found on rocks near the margins of streams in xeric regions
Geographic Range
Gila River drainage in Arizona & New Mexico (and south into Mexico) ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Females carry the egg sac with their spinnerets; spiderlings are then carried around on the surface of the sac after they emerge.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Authors of name: Carico & Minch. First year published: 1981.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Trechalea gertschi. 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 Trechalea gertschi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Trechalea gertschi
What is Trechalea gertschi?
Trechalea gertschi is a species in the family Trechaleidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Trechalea gertschi?
Body length of adult male approx. 13mm female approx. 17mm
Where is Trechalea gertschi found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found on rocks near the margins of streams in xeric regions |
| Range | Gila River drainage in Arizona & New Mexico (and south into Mexico) ( 3 ) |
What is the life cycle of a Trechalea gertschi?
Females carry the egg sac with their spinnerets; spiderlings are then carried around on the surface of the sac after they emerge.