Biology:Cheiracanthium punctorium

From HandWiki
Short description: Yellow sack spider

Yellow Sac Spider
File:Cheiracanthium punctorium - Ludivine Lamare - 302947938.jpeg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Cheiracanthiidae
Genus: Cheiracanthium
Species:
C. punctorium
Binomial name
Cheiracanthium punctorium
(Villers, 1789)

Cheiracanthium punctorium, one of several species commonly known as the yellow sac spider, is a spider found from central Europe to Central Asia. They reach a length of about 15 mm, and their bite can penetrate human skin; the bite has been compared to a wasp sting, perhaps a bit more severe, although susceptible persons can have stronger reactions, like nausea.[1]

Lifestyle

Reproduction

The mating season for Cheiracanthium Punctoriums begins in early summer, when males deliberately seek out desired females.[citation needed] Both genders possess the ability to reproduce and mate numerous times.[citation needed]

Egg sacs in Germany

Relitavely 14 days after mating, females produce egg sacs of about 4 cm in high grass.[2] It opens from the bottom and is aggressively defended for approximately 17 days after the young are born. [3]

Once mature, Cheiracanthium Punctorium spiderlings are emancipated from their nests. Relying not on the power of the wind but on static electricity,[citation needed] the juveniles deploy silk 'balloons' and venture off to begin adult life. [4]


Venom

Female Cheiracanthium punctorium with drops of venom on its fangs

Although its bite is harmless,[1] it is considered the only "seriously" venomous spider in Germany, where it is a rare species, occurring chiefly in the southern half. Notable numbers are found in the Kaiserstuhl region, the hottest part of the country.

Distribution

A Cheiracanthium punctorium in Germany

There is evidence that the species is spreading in northeastern Germany, e.g. Brandenburg. The main reason is an increase in fallow, uncultivated land in these areas, though changing weather patterns leading to increased aridity and less precipitation may also play a role. C. punctorium is most numerous in the steppes of Central Asia.

Off the coast of Australia and in Oceania, the species is considered invasive.[citation needed]

Taxonomy

The genus Cheiracanthium was transferred from the Clubionidae to the Miturgidae,[5] and then to the Cheiracanthiidae.[6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Papini, R (2012). "Documented bites by a yellow sac spider (Cheiracanthium punctorium) in Italy: a case report". Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases 18 (3): 349–354. doi:10.1590/S1678-91992012000300014. 
  2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-09015-6
  3. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cheiracanthium_inclusum/
  4. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/yellow-sac-spiders-what-to-know
  5. Platnick 2007
  6. "Gen. Cheiracanthium C. L. Koch, 1839", World Spider Catalog (Natural History Museum Bern), http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/genus/1950/Cheiracanthium, retrieved 2015-10-07 

Wikidata ☰ Q472994 entry