Crab spider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Amyciaea |
Crab spiders make up the Arachnidae family Thomisidae. They are also commonly called "flower spiders" because they are most often found on flowers, lying in ambush for prey. Crab spiders do not build webs to trap prey, but are active hunters much like the jumping spiders (Salticidae).
They are called crab spiders because of their first two pairs of legs, which are held out to the side giving them (with their flattened, angular bodies) a crab-like appearance. Also, like crabs, these spiders move sideways and backwards more easily than forwards.
The spider family Aphantochilidae was incorporated into the Thomisidae in the late 1980s. Aphantochilus species mimic Cephalotes ants, on which they prey.
The spiders of Thomisidae are not known to be harmful to humans. Spiders of an unrelated genus, Sicarius, also resemble crabs (and are sometimes referred to as "crab spiders"). Sicarius spiders, close cousins to the recluse spiders, are highly venemous.
[edit] See also
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- For pictures of many other kinds of spiders, see The Spider Gallery
[edit] References
- Biolib family Thomisidae
- Lise, A.A. (2005). Rejanellus, a new genus of Thomisidae (Araneae, Stephanopinae). Iheringia, Sér. Zool. 95(2):151-164. PDF
[edit] External links
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