False Wolf Spiders & Wandering Spiders
Zoropsidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Infraorder: Araneomorphae
- Family: Zoropsidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Zoropsidae: /zɔːˈrɒpsɪdiː/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Zoropsidae, known as false wolf spiders, are a family of cribellate araneomorph spiders characterized by their two rows of equally sized eyes, and this family combines earlier separate families Tengellidae and Zorocratidae as of 2015.
Physical Characteristics
Zoropsids have a body size ranging from 5.0 to 20.0 mm. They exhibit a physical similarity to wolf spiders, differentiated by their two rows of eyes that are more equal in size.
Identification Tips
Look for the distinctive eye arrangement with two rows of eyes that appear similar in size, and check for egg sacs that are attached to substrates and covered by cribellate silk.
Habitat
Many Zoropsidae are ground dwelling and often found in terrestrial habitats.
Distribution
The family includes 48 species distributed across various regions, with specific details subject to the range of genera.
Diet
Zoropsids are predatory, feeding primarily on small insects and other arthropods.
Ecosystem Role
They play a role in controlling pest populations by preying on insects.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collecting
- Pitfall traps
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation
- Drying
Evolution
The family Zoropsidae was first described by Philipp Bertkau in 1882. It has since absorbed the families Tengellidae and Zorocratidae, indicating ongoing taxonomic revision.
Misconceptions
Common misconceptions include their identification as true wolf spiders due to their appearance; however, they belong to a distinct family and can be differentiated by specific ocular features.
Tags
- Arachnids
- Spiders
- False Wolf Spiders
- Zoropsidae