Lynx Spiders

Oxyopidae

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oxyopidae: //ɒkˈsaɪəpɪˌdiː//

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

Images

Oxyopes salticus spider 01 by Vidyut Gore. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Western Lynx Spider (Oxyopes scalaris) by Mangodreads. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Oxyopes tridens by Juan Cruzado Cortés. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Oxyopes salticus female 02 by Kaldari. Used under a Public domain license.

Peucetia longipalpis 58212452 by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Oxyopes aglossus 255576990 by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Oxyopidae, or Lynx Spiders, are a family of agile, predominantly hunting spiders that inhabit vegetation and are known for their speed and camouflage. They show unique reproductive behaviors, such as egg guarding, and have variable ecological impacts, especially in agriculture.

Physical Characteristics

Oxyopids have high carapaces, distinctive eyes, numerous spines on their legs, and bright colors in some species. The carapace is longer than wide, high and angular or rounded with a wide, flattened clypeus. The abdomen is usually oval shaped and tapers to a point. Oxyopids have eight eyes, with a typical arrangement forming a hexagon-like pattern.

Identification Tips

Identification is aided by the typical arrangement of six of the eight eyes in a hexagon-like pattern on the prosoma, along with a 'flat-faced' appearance due to the large, vertical chelicerae.

Habitat

Primarily vegetation dwellers found on grasses, shrubs, and trees. Some are terrestrial or arboreal.

Distribution

Primarily tropical and subtropical, but also in temperate zones. In North America, most species are found in southern states, although O. salticus ranges into southern Canada.

Diet

Insects and spiders. Oxyopids use their vision to detect and legs to catch prey, active hunters during the day and night.

Life Cycle

Some oxyopids may produce several egg sacs, while others produce only one. They are very protective of their egg sacs.

Reproduction

Females are known to guard their egg sacs, often sacrificing their own well-being by not eating while doing so.

Ecosystem Role

Some members are important in agricultural systems as biological control agents, although their impact on pollinator populations is questionable.

Economic Impact

Some species serve as biological control agents in agriculture, but there are disputes regarding their predation on pollinators.

Health Concerns

At least one species, Peucetia viridans, can spray venom when defending its egg purse, which may pose a concern for humans.