Usofila pacifica
This record describes Usofila pacifica (species). Recorded family: Telemidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
U.oregona has a distinctly smaller (but still inflated) patella, slightly different profile and usually some shading on the clypeus, often elsewhere as well. There are epigynal-area differences but they are subtle. - Rod Crawford, 10/28/2012 Males are rare: so rare in pacifica that the species must be largely parthenogenic. - Rod Crawford, 10/28/2012
Classification
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of name: Banks. Year first published: 1894
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Usofila pacifica. 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 Usofila pacifica (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyron Basu; Additional contributions by cheins , Nathaniel Green