Walckenaeria dondalei
This record describes Walckenaeria dondalei (species). Recorded family: Linyphiidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Brown to deep chestnut brown, with dusky markings; lightly darkened anteriorly in female . The male carapace has a fairly large lobe which bears numerous spatulate hairs. Abdomen: gray-black with faint paler markings.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Linyphiidae (Sheetweb and Dwarf Spiders)
- Subfamily
- Erigoninae
- Genus
- Walckenaeria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Meadows?
Geographic Range
According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, ON, SK
Seasonal Activity
Males: Sep-Oct Females: May & Oct
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Walckenaeria dondalei Millidge, 1983
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Walckenaeria dondalei. 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 Walckenaeria dondalei (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Bob Biagi; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Walckenaeria dondalei
What is Walckenaeria dondalei?
Walckenaeria dondalei is a species in the family Linyphiidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Walckenaeria dondalei?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.1-1.15mm |
| Female | 1.0-1.05mm |
How do you identify Walckenaeria dondalei?
Brown to deep chestnut brown, with dusky markings; lightly darkened anteriorly in female . The male carapace has a fairly large lobe which bears numerous spatulate hairs. Abdomen: gray-black with faint paler markings.
Where is Walckenaeria dondalei found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Meadows? |
| Range | According to the American Arachnological Society --AB, ON, SK |
When is Walckenaeria dondalei active?
Walckenaeria dondalei: seasonal activity - Males: Sep-Oct Females: May & Oct.