Spitting spiders (Scytodidae) is a family of araneomorph spiders first described by John Blackwall in 1864.[2] It contains over 250 species in five genera,[1] of which Scytodes is the best-known.
Spitting spiders Temporal range:
| |
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Scytodes thoracica | |
Scytodes male, showing pedipalps | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Scytodidae Blackwall, 1864 |
Diversity[1] | |
4 genera, 252 species | |
Description edit
Scytodidae spiders are haplogyne, meaning they lack hardened female genitalia. They have six eyes, like most spiders in this group, arranged in three pairs. They possess long legs and a dome-shaped cephalothorax, and are usually yellow or light brown with black spots or marks.[3][4]
Hunting technique edit
Scytodidae catch their prey by spitting a fluid that congeals on contact into a venomous and sticky mass. The fluid contains both venom and spider silk in liquid form, though it is produced in venom glands in the chelicerae. The venom-laced silk both immobilizes and envenoms prey such as silverfish. In high-speed footage the spiders can be observed swaying from side to side as they "spit", catching the prey in a criss-crossed "Z" pattern; it is criss-crossed because each of the chelicerae emits half of the pattern. The spider usually strikes from a distance of 10 to 20 millimetres (0.39 to 0.79 in) and the entire attack sequence only lasts 1/700th of a second.[5] After making the capture, the spider typically bites the prey with venomous effect, and wraps it in the normal spider fashion with silk from the spinnerets.[6]
Presocial behaviour edit
Some species exhibit presocial behaviour, in which mature spiders live together and assist the young with food.[7]
Genera edit
As of January 2024[update], the World Spider Catalog accepts the following genera:[1]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Family: Scytodidae Blackwall, 1864". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ Blackwall, J. (1864). A history of the spiders of Great Britain and Ireland. Ray Society, London. pp. 175–384.
- ^ "SCYTODIDAE Spitting spiders". Arachne.org.au. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Spitting spider". Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Piper, Ross (2007). Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-33922-6.
- ^ Gilbert, C.; Rayor, L.S. (1985). "Predatory behavior of spitting spiders (Araneae, Scytodidae) and the evolution of prey wrapping". Journal of Arachnology. 13 (2): 231–241. JSTOR 3705028.
- ^ Miller, Jeremy (2010). "Taxon page for Scytodes socialis Miller, 2006". Archived from the original on 2012-03-31.
External links edit
- Arachnology Home Pages: Araneae
- Info about Spitting spider Scytodes thoracica
- Platnick, N.I. 2003. World Spider Catalog