Hammerjawed Jumper
Zygoballus rufipes
This record describes Zygoballus rufipes (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum (ventral/dorsal)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Zygoballus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often found on low-growing broadleaf plants in open wooded areas. (jb)
Geographic Range
Massachusetts west to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas as well as Arizona
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Egg sacs typically contain around 25 eggs. Sexually dimorphism occurs very early.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Zygoballus rufipes. 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 Hammerjawed Jumper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Jay Barnes , cheins , Dick Walton
Frequently Asked Questions About Hammerjawed Jumper
How do you identify Hammerjawed Jumper?
Palp Epigynum (ventral/dorsal)
Where is Hammerjawed Jumper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Often found on low-growing broadleaf plants in open wooded areas. (jb) |
| Range | Massachusetts west to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas as well as Arizona |
What is the life cycle of a Hammerjawed Jumper?
Egg sacs typically contain around 25 eggs. Sexually dimorphism occurs very early.