Liocranid Sac Spiders

Liocranidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Liocranidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Liocranidae: /laɪˌoʊkrəˈnaɪdiː/

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

Images

Agroeca pratensis 3 by Emily Robinson. Used under a CC0 license.

Agroeca pratensis 2 by Emily Robinson. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Agroeca pratensis 1 by CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Used under a CC0 license.

Common Spiders U.S. 033-6 by James Henry Emerton (1847 – 1931). Used under a Public domain license.

Neoanagraphis chamberlini (F Liocranidae) (11040448373) by Marshal Hedin from San Diego. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Summary

Liocranidae, or Liocranid Sac Spiders, is a family of araneomorph spiders that includes notable genera such as Agroeca and Neoanagraphis. They inhabit dry regions and are often found in animal burrows, with notable adaptations to their environments.

Physical Characteristics

Legs prograde with anterior leg spines, eyes either straight or slightly curved.

Identification Tips

Sternum not prolonged behind the coxae IV, which are nearly contiguous.

Habitat

These spiders are often found in animal burrows, particularly in dry desert conditions.

Distribution

North America, particularly the USA and parts of Canada. Agroeca ranges from Alaska to Nova Scotia, south to California and New Jersey.

Diet

Predominantly insectivorous, as they prey on various arthropods.

Life Cycle

Information on specific lifecycle stages is not detailed; typically includes egg, juvenile, and adult phases.

Reproduction

Details on reproductive strategies not specified, but generally, sac spiders exhibit typical arachnid mating behaviors.

Ecosystem Role

They are likely a part of the food web, preying on smaller insects and being preyed upon by larger predators.