Clubionidae

Simon, 1878

Sac Spiders

Genus Guides

2

Clubionidae, the sac spiders, are a of wandering spiders characterized by eight in two rows and conical that touch. They are active hunters that do not build webs to capture prey, instead constructing silken retreats or 'sacs' for shelter. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many former members reassigned to other families including Eutichuridae and Miturgidae. in this family are found worldwide and occupy diverse from forests to human dwellings.

Clubiona by (c) Emily Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Emily Roberts. Used under a CC-BY license.Clubiona trivialis by (c) Rikki's Refuge, niektoré práva vyhradené (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Clubiona abboti by (c) Matthew Lindsey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Clubionidae: /kluːˈbaɪ.ə.nɪˌdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Clubiona can be distinguished from similar sac spiders by the presence of a distinct groove in the center of the and a tuft of curved setae on the front edge of the . These characters are absent in Cheiracanthium (now Eutichuridae), which was formerly classified in Clubionidae. Members of this have eight arranged in two rows and conical that are contiguous.

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Habitat

Diverse including subtropical forests, caves, under bark, under rocks, and between leaves. Some are found in human dwellings, though generally less commonly indoors than related formerly placed in this .

Distribution

Worldwide distribution on every continent except Antarctica. Documented from North America (including Vermont, USA), Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and Asia (Laos, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia).

Diet

Active that hunt small insects and other arthropods without using webs. Laboratory studies on related indicate they will feed on available prey such as lepidopteran larvae.

Life Cycle

Development involves multiple from to adulthood. In related , males undergo 7–8 molts and females 9–10 molts. Females deposit eggs in silken sacs within their retreats.

Behavior

hunters that prowl for prey on foot. They construct silken retreats or 'sacs' for daytime shelter, typically on plant terminals, between leaves, under bark, or under rocks. These retreats are generally not reused. They possess tarsal claw tufts of densely-packed hairs that aid in climbing smooth surfaces.

Ecological Role

of small insects and arthropods; serve as prey for spider wasps in the Pompilidae.

Human Relevance

Generally harmless to humans. Some may enter human dwellings but are less commonly encountered indoors than related such as Cheiracanthium. They may contribute to household pest control by consuming small insects.

Similar Taxa

  • Eutichuridae (Cheiracanthium)Formerly classified in Clubionidae; distinguished by lack of groove and abdominal setal tuft; more commonly encountered indoors
  • MiturgidaeFormerly included now placed here; similar wandering and sac-building habits

More Details

Taxonomic History

This was formerly a large catch-all for spiders with eight in two rows, contiguous conical , and sac-building . Many have been reassigned to separate families including Eutichuridae and Miturgidae, making the family's current circumscription more restricted.

Sources and further reading