We employed a character-rich ultra-conserved element (UCE) dataset and a taxon-rich cytochrome-oxidase I (COI) dataset to reconstruct a genus-level phylogeny of Deinopidae, aiming to investigate the group’s historical biogeography, and examine PME size evolution. Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed discordance between morphology and molecular data. Deinopis and Asianopis, the ogre-faced spiders, are best known for their giant light-capturing posterior median eyes (PME), whereas Menneus does not have enlarged PMEs. There are 67 described species of deinopids, placed among three genera, Deinopis, Menneus, and Asianopis, that are distributed globally throughout the tropics and subtropics. In summary, the marbled cellar spider is a fascinating and beneficial arachnid, whose habits and behaviors contribute positively to their ecosystem, and consequently, to human environments.Net-casting spiders (Deinopidae) comprise a charismatic family with an enigmatic evolutionary history. This is uncommon as in most spiders, only the male has these organs. Both the male and female members possess stridulatory organs and use them in sexual activity.Italian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli first described this species in 1763.Invasive: North Pacific region of the United Statesīasement areas, caves, rocky crevices, and warm terrains Native: Mediterranean area of Europe and Northern Africa They are non-aggressive, rarely bite, and their venom is not a concern for human health. Relationship with Humans: Generally, marbled cellar spiders are seen favorably by humans due to their pest control contributions. This interaction between predator and prey helps to control the population of pests within their ecosystem. Prey-Predator Dynamics: The diet of marbled cellar spiders mainly consists of flying insects, which they capture in their webs. Natural Predator: Jumping spiders are known predators of the marbled cellar spider, capable of navigating the complex webs to hunt them down. Their tendency to occupy human dwellings turns them into inadvertent allies in pest management. Marbled cellar spiders play a significant role in controlling pest populations, feeding on common household insects. Ecological Importance and Behavior of Marbled Cellar Spider They might bite if they feel trapped, but they’d rather stay away and mind their own business. It’s not something people usually need to worry about. But it’s mainly for catching the small bugs they like to eat. Yes, Marbled Cellar spiders do have venom. The latter is used by females carrying eggs to give birth safely. They build two types of webs – curved prey-capture sheets and dome-shaped webs. Most of them shift to new webs several times in their lifetime. Some weave solitary webs, while the majority of the marbled cellar spider species join the existing webs made by other spiders of their clan. These spiders have a unique webbing behavior. Other Characteristic Features: They have long legs covered with black and white tan circles at the joints.įemale spiders lay approximately 200 eggs in a sac, taking about three weeks before hatching.Īfter hatching, the female leaves the spiderlings, who construct their own sheet web to capture prey or join an existing one.Physical Description and Identification Adults
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