Zelotes tenuis
This record describes Zelotes tenuis (species). Recorded family: Gnaphosidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Palp Epigynum There are some great images for reproductive structures here .
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Gnaphosidae (Ground Spiders)
- Genus
- Zelotes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
An introduced Old World species originally known only from a single 1980 California (Contra Costa County) specimen record , now with an expanding range in California .
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Zelotes tenuis. 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 Zelotes tenuis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by cheins
Frequently Asked Questions About Zelotes tenuis
What is Zelotes tenuis?
Zelotes tenuis is a species in the family Gnaphosidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Zelotes tenuis?
About 3.5-6.5 mm.
How do you identify Zelotes tenuis?
Palp Epigynum
Where is Zelotes tenuis found?
Range: An introduced Old World species originally known only from a single 1980 California (Contra Costa County) specimen record , now with an expanding range in California .