Synotaxidae

Common Name

Mesh-web Spiders

Overview

Synotaxidae is a family of araneomorph spiders known for their unique web structures that often resemble a mesh or tangle. This family predominantly inhabits neotropical regions but can also be found in some temperate zones.

Taxonomy

Key Characteristics

  • Web Structure: Mesh-like or tangle webs, often irregular.
  • Body Size: Small to medium-sized spiders.
  • Eyes: Typically eight eyes arranged in two rows.
  • Legs: Long and slender, aiding in their ability to navigate their delicate webs.

Life Cycle

  1. Egg: Eggs laid in silken sacs.
  2. Spiderling: Hatch as miniature versions of adults.
  3. Juvenile: Several moults before reaching maturity.
  4. Adult: Capable of reproduction and constructing webs.

Behavior and Ecology

  • Diet: Predominantly insects. They trap their prey in their irregular, sticky webs.
  • Habitat: Mostly neotropical rainforests but found in varied habitats.
  • Predation: Relatively low on the food chain; subject to predation by birds, larger spiders, and other arthropods.
  • Reproduction: Mating typically occurs within the web.

Notable Species

  • Synotaxus ecuadorensis : Found in Ecuador, noted for its unique web structure.
  • Synotaxus turbinatus : Found in Brazil, another representative of this diverse family.

Conservation

  • Status: Not extensively studied; no major threats have been identified, but habitat destruction could potentially impact some species.
  • Efforts: Habitat preservation is crucial for their conservation.

Significance to Humans

  • Ecological Role: Help control insect populations.
  • Biomedical Research: Studied for their silk properties and potential applications in materials science.

Fun Fact

  • The silk of Synotaxidae spiders is incredibly strong relative to its thinness and has unique adhesive properties.

  • These spiders can often be mistaken for members of the family Theridiidae (Cobweb Spiders) due to their similar web structures.

  • Some Synotaxidae spiders have adaptive coloration that helps them blend with their environment, providing excellent camouflage against predators.