Anyphaenid sac spider
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 [Aysha velox | ||||||||||
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Anyphaena |
The anyphaenid sac spiders (family Anyphaenidae) are distinguished from the sac spiders and other spiders by having the abdominal spiracle placed one third to one half of the way anterior to the spinnerets toward the epigastric furrow on the underside of the abdomen. In most spiders the spiracle is just anterior to the spinnerets. Like clubionids, anyphaenids have eight eyes arranged in two rows, conical anterior spinnerets that touched and are wandering predators that built silken retreats, or sacs, usually on plant terminals, between leaves, under bark or under rocks. There are more than 500 species in over 50 genera worldwide.
The family is widespread and includes such common genera as Anyphaena (worldwide except tropical Africa and Asia) and Hibana (New World). Species in the latter genus are important predators in several agricultural systems, especially tree crops. They are able to detect and feed on insect eggs, despite their poor eyesight. They share this ability at least with some miturgid spiders.
The spider depicted at the top of the taxonomy box, Aysha_velox, is a common spider of this Family in the United States.
External link
- Platnick, N.I. 2003. World Spider Catalog (http://research.amnh.org/entomology/spiders/catalog81-87/index.html)
- Family Anyphaenidae Sac spiders, ghost spiders (http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/Spiders/Anyphaenidae/anyphaenidae.htm)
Categories: Spiders | Arachnida | Araneae | Araneomorphae | Anyphaenidae | Aysha