https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=GrosmariSoil Ecology Wiki - User contributions [en]2026-04-08T20:17:18ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.0https://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13669Araneidae2025-05-02T19:16:59Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock Orb-weaver July 2022.jpg|401px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View [7]]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Overview==<br />
Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
==Web Placement and Habitat Preferences==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
==Web Construction Process==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|left| Center of Golden Orb-weaver spider web [8]]]<br />
<br />
==Web Maintenance and Rebuilding Behavior==<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by slightly varying the web position each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable websites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
[7] Rosmarino, Gill. Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body. 26 July 2022. Author's Personal Collection<br />
<br />
[8] Smith, Barbara H. “Beneficial Yellow Garden Spiders.” Home & Garden Information Center, 2020, hgic.clemson.edu/beneficial-yellow-garden-spiders/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=13612Fishing spiders2025-05-02T18:16:11Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pisauridae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedes<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Overview==<br />
Dolomedes is a genus within the spider family Pisauridae, meaning that while all Dolomedes species are part of the Pisauridae family, not all Pisauridae belong to the genus Dolomedes. The Pisauridae family, commonly referred to as nursery web and fishing spiders, includes several genera characterized by their active hunting behavior and, in some cases, associations with aquatic habitats. Dolomedes is one of the most prominent and widely recognized genera in this family, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and ability to walk on water and dive beneath the surface to catch prey. Other genera in the Pisauridae family, such as Pisaura, exhibit different behaviors, like building nursery webs to protect their egg sacs, but share similar morphological traits. Therefore, Dolomedes represents a specific and specialized group within the broader, more diverse Pisauridae family. There are approximately 100 species of Dolomedes across the world, with 9 species existing in North America.<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Dolomedes spiders, commonly known as fishing spiders, are among the largest true spiders in North America and Europe. They typically have a body length ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, with leg spans that can exceed 75 millimeters. Their bodies are robust and elongated, often colored in shades of brown, gray, or black, with lighter markings along the cephalothorax and abdomen that help with camouflage in natural settings. One of their distinguishing features is their long, powerful legs, which are covered in hydrophobic hairs that allow them to move across the surface of water. Like other members of the Pisauridae family, Dolomedes spiders have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows, giving them excellent vision for detecting movement in their environment.<br />
<br />
== Behavioral Habits==<br />
Dolomedes spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to catch their prey. Instead, they use their keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations to detect and ambush [[insects]], small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic [[organisms]]. They can stand or run across water, and some species can even dive below the surface to pursue or escape. When diving, they can remain submerged for several minutes by trapping air around their bodies. Dolomedes spiders are generally solitary and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting at night. Females are also known for their parental care; they carry their egg sacs in their jaws and build protective nursery webs for their spiderlings, a trait shared with other Pisauridae.<br />
<br />
[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg|401px |thumb|left|Six-spotted fishing spider standing on water [4]]]<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Dolomedes spiders are commonly found in habitats near freshwater, including the edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and low human disturbance, which provide both cover and a steady supply of prey. Their distribution is widespread, with various species occurring in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. The presence of water is crucial to their lifestyle, as it provides both a hunting ground and an escape route from predators. Some species have adapted to life in wet forests or flooded grasslands, highlighting their ecological versatility within aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. [1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. <br />
Dolomedes spiders exhibit notable reproductive behaviors, particularly in their courtship and maternal care. Mating typically occurs in the warmer months, during which males must approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey. Courtship often involves leg tapping or vibration signaling on the water or substrate to identify themselves as potential mates. After mating, the female produces a spherical egg sac, which she carries in her chelicerae for several days to weeks. During this time, she remains mobile and continues to hunt. When the spiderlings are close to hatching, the female constructs a nursery web—an enclosed silken structure, usually in nearby vegetation, where she suspends the egg sac. [3] She guards the nursery web vigilantly until the young emerge and disperse. This high level of maternal investment, including egg sac transport and web guarding, is characteristic of the Pisauridae family and helps improve offspring survival in the wild. [2]<br />
<br />
[[File:Dolomedes-okefinokensis-egg.jpg|401px |thumb|Female Dolomedes okefinokens protecting her egg sac [5]]]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The taxonomy of Dolomedes places it within the family Pisauridae, which encompasses a group of spiders commonly known as fishing and nursery web spiders. The Pisauridae family falls under the order Araneae (spiders) and the class Arachnida, which includes all arachnids such as scorpions, mites, and ticks. Within the family Pisauridae, Dolomedes is one of the most notable genera, alongside others like Pisaura and Tinus. The genus Dolomedes contains several species, including the common Dolomedes tenebrosus (dark fishing spider) and Dolomedes fimbriatus (raft spider), which are primarily found in North America and Europe. The genus name Dolomedes was first coined by the French arachnologist Pierre André Latreille in 1804, derived from the Greek words "doloma" (deception) and "edes" (appearance), possibly alluding to the spider's ability to blend in with its surroundings. The species within Dolomedes are further classified based on their specific habitat preferences, behaviors, and physical characteristics [6]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[3] Foelix, Rainer F. Biology of Spiders. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.<br />
<br />
[4] Adam Tyrrell. “Can Spiders Walk on Water? - Rove Pest Control.” Rove Pest Control, 10 Dec. 2020, www.rovepestcontrol.com/blog/can-spiders-walk-on-water/.<br />
<br />
[5] SERRAO, JOHN. “Okefenokee Fishing Spider with Egg Sac .” Science Photo Library, 2022, www.sciencephoto.com/media/1257563/view/okefenokee-fishing-spider-with-egg-sac.<br />
<br />
[6] Bradley, Richard A. Common Spiders of North America. University of California Press, 2013.</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=13611Fishing spiders2025-05-02T18:15:03Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pisauridae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedes<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Overview==<br />
Dolomedes is a genus within the spider family Pisauridae, meaning that while all Dolomedes species are part of the Pisauridae family, not all Pisauridae belong to the genus Dolomedes. The Pisauridae family, commonly referred to as nursery web and fishing spiders, includes several genera characterized by their active hunting behavior and, in some cases, associations with aquatic habitats. Dolomedes is one of the most prominent and widely recognized genera in this family, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and ability to walk on water and dive beneath the surface to catch prey. Other genera in the Pisauridae family, such as Pisaura, exhibit different behaviors, like building nursery webs to protect their egg sacs, but share similar morphological traits. Therefore, Dolomedes represents a specific and specialized group within the broader, more diverse Pisauridae family. There are approximately 100 species of Dolomedes across the world, with 9 species existing in North America.<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Dolomedes spiders, commonly known as fishing spiders, are among the largest true spiders in North America and Europe. They typically have a body length ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, with leg spans that can exceed 75 millimeters. Their bodies are robust and elongated, often colored in shades of brown, gray, or black, with lighter markings along the cephalothorax and abdomen that help with camouflage in natural settings. One of their distinguishing features is their long, powerful legs, which are covered in hydrophobic hairs that allow them to move across the surface of water. Like other members of the Pisauridae family, Dolomedes spiders have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows, giving them excellent vision for detecting movement in their environment.<br />
<br />
Behaviorally, Dolomedes spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to catch their prey. Instead, they use their keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations to detect and ambush [[insects]], small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic [[organisms]]. They can stand or run across water, and some species can even dive below the surface to pursue or escape. When diving, they can remain submerged for several minutes by trapping air around their bodies. Dolomedes spiders are generally solitary and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting at night. Females are also known for their parental care; they carry their egg sacs in their jaws and build protective nursery webs for their spiderlings, a trait shared with other Pisauridae.<br />
<br />
[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg|401px |thumb|left|Six-spotted fishing spider standing on water [4]]]<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Dolomedes spiders are commonly found in habitats near freshwater, including the edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and low human disturbance, which provide both cover and a steady supply of prey. Their distribution is widespread, with various species occurring in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. The presence of water is crucial to their lifestyle, as it provides both a hunting ground and an escape route from predators. Some species have adapted to life in wet forests or flooded grasslands, highlighting their ecological versatility within aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. [1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. <br />
Dolomedes spiders exhibit notable reproductive behaviors, particularly in their courtship and maternal care. Mating typically occurs in the warmer months, during which males must approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey. Courtship often involves leg tapping or vibration signaling on the water or substrate to identify themselves as potential mates. After mating, the female produces a spherical egg sac, which she carries in her chelicerae for several days to weeks. During this time, she remains mobile and continues to hunt. When the spiderlings are close to hatching, the female constructs a nursery web—an enclosed silken structure, usually in nearby vegetation, where she suspends the egg sac. [3] She guards the nursery web vigilantly until the young emerge and disperse. This high level of maternal investment, including egg sac transport and web guarding, is characteristic of the Pisauridae family and helps improve offspring survival in the wild. [2]<br />
<br />
[[File:Dolomedes-okefinokensis-egg.jpg|401px |thumb|Female Dolomedes okefinokens protecting her egg sac [5]]]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The taxonomy of Dolomedes places it within the family Pisauridae, which encompasses a group of spiders commonly known as fishing and nursery web spiders. The Pisauridae family falls under the order Araneae (spiders) and the class Arachnida, which includes all arachnids such as scorpions, mites, and ticks. Within the family Pisauridae, Dolomedes is one of the most notable genera, alongside others like Pisaura and Tinus. The genus Dolomedes contains several species, including the common Dolomedes tenebrosus (dark fishing spider) and Dolomedes fimbriatus (raft spider), which are primarily found in North America and Europe. The genus name Dolomedes was first coined by the French arachnologist Pierre André Latreille in 1804, derived from the Greek words "doloma" (deception) and "edes" (appearance), possibly alluding to the spider's ability to blend in with its surroundings. The species within Dolomedes are further classified based on their specific habitat preferences, behaviors, and physical characteristics [6]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[3] Foelix, Rainer F. Biology of Spiders. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.<br />
<br />
[4] Adam Tyrrell. “Can Spiders Walk on Water? - Rove Pest Control.” Rove Pest Control, 10 Dec. 2020, www.rovepestcontrol.com/blog/can-spiders-walk-on-water/.<br />
<br />
[5] SERRAO, JOHN. “Okefenokee Fishing Spider with Egg Sac .” Science Photo Library, 2022, www.sciencephoto.com/media/1257563/view/okefenokee-fishing-spider-with-egg-sac.<br />
<br />
[6] Bradley, Richard A. Common Spiders of North America. University of California Press, 2013.</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Dolomedes-okefinokensis-egg.jpg&diff=13609File:Dolomedes-okefinokensis-egg.jpg2025-05-02T18:07:06Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=13608Fishing spiders2025-05-02T18:04:23Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pisauridae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedes<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Overview==<br />
Dolomedes is a genus within the spider family Pisauridae, meaning that while all Dolomedes species are part of the Pisauridae family, not all Pisauridae belong to the genus Dolomedes. The Pisauridae family, commonly referred to as nursery web and fishing spiders, includes several genera characterized by their active hunting behavior and, in some cases, associations with aquatic habitats. Dolomedes is one of the most prominent and widely recognized genera in this family, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and ability to walk on water and dive beneath the surface to catch prey. Other genera in the Pisauridae family, such as Pisaura, exhibit different behaviors, like building nursery webs to protect their egg sacs, but share similar morphological traits. Therefore, Dolomedes represents a specific and specialized group within the broader, more diverse Pisauridae family. There are approximately 100 species of Dolomedes across the world, with 9 species existing in North America.<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Dolomedes spiders, commonly known as fishing spiders, are among the largest true spiders in North America and Europe. They typically have a body length ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, with leg spans that can exceed 75 millimeters. Their bodies are robust and elongated, often colored in shades of brown, gray, or black, with lighter markings along the cephalothorax and abdomen that help with camouflage in natural settings. One of their distinguishing features is their long, powerful legs, which are covered in hydrophobic hairs that allow them to move across the surface of water. Like other members of the Pisauridae family, Dolomedes spiders have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows, giving them excellent vision for detecting movement in their environment.<br />
<br />
Behaviorally, Dolomedes spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to catch their prey. Instead, they use their keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations to detect and ambush [[insects]], small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic [[organisms]]. They can stand or run across water, and some species can even dive below the surface to pursue or escape. When diving, they can remain submerged for several minutes by trapping air around their bodies. Dolomedes spiders are generally solitary and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting at night. Females are also known for their parental care; they carry their egg sacs in their jaws and build protective nursery webs for their spiderlings, a trait shared with other Pisauridae.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg|401px |thumb|Six-spotted fishing spider standing on water [4]]]<br />
Dolomedes spiders are commonly found in habitats near freshwater, including the edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and low human disturbance, which provide both cover and a steady supply of prey. Their distribution is widespread, with various species occurring in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. The presence of water is crucial to their lifestyle, as it provides both a hunting ground and an escape route from predators. Some species have adapted to life in wet forests or flooded grasslands, highlighting their ecological versatility within aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. <br />
Dolomedes spiders exhibit notable reproductive behaviors, particularly in their courtship and maternal care. Mating typically occurs in the warmer months, during which males must approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey. Courtship often involves leg tapping or vibration signaling on the water or substrate to identify themselves as potential mates. After mating, the female produces a spherical egg sac, which she carries in her chelicerae for several days to weeks. During this time, she remains mobile and continues to hunt. When the spiderlings are close to hatching, the female constructs a nursery web—an enclosed silken structure, usually in nearby vegetation, where she suspends the egg sac. [3] She guards the nursery web vigilantly until the young emerge and disperse. This high level of maternal investment, including egg sac transport and web guarding, is characteristic of the Pisauridae family and helps improve offspring survival in the wild. [2]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[3] Foelix, Rainer F. Biology of Spiders. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.<br />
<br />
[4] Adam Tyrrell. “Can Spiders Walk on Water? - Rove Pest Control.” Rove Pest Control, 10 Dec. 2020, www.rovepestcontrol.com/blog/can-spiders-walk-on-water/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=13607Fishing spiders2025-05-02T17:48:03Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pisauridae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedes<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Overview==<br />
Dolomedes is a genus within the spider family Pisauridae, meaning that while all Dolomedes species are part of the Pisauridae family, not all Pisauridae belong to the genus Dolomedes. The Pisauridae family, commonly referred to as nursery web and fishing spiders, includes several genera characterized by their active hunting behavior and, in some cases, associations with aquatic habitats. Dolomedes is one of the most prominent and widely recognized genera in this family, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and ability to walk on water and dive beneath the surface to catch prey. Other genera in the Pisauridae family, such as Pisaura, exhibit different behaviors, like building nursery webs to protect their egg sacs, but share similar morphological traits. Therefore, Dolomedes represents a specific and specialized group within the broader, more diverse Pisauridae family.<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Dolomedes spiders, commonly known as fishing spiders, are among the largest true spiders in North America and Europe. They typically have a body length ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, with leg spans that can exceed 75 millimeters. Their bodies are robust and elongated, often colored in shades of brown, gray, or black, with lighter markings along the cephalothorax and abdomen that help with camouflage in natural settings. One of their distinguishing features is their long, powerful legs, which are covered in hydrophobic hairs that allow them to move across the surface of water. Like other members of the Pisauridae family, Dolomedes spiders have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows, giving them excellent vision for detecting movement in their environment.<br />
<br />
Behaviorally, Dolomedes spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to catch their prey. Instead, they use their keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations to detect and ambush [[insects]], small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic [[organisms]]. They can stand or run across water, and some species can even dive below the surface to pursue or escape. When diving, they can remain submerged for several minutes by trapping air around their bodies. Dolomedes spiders are generally solitary and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting at night. Females are also known for their parental care; they carry their egg sacs in their jaws and build protective nursery webs for their spiderlings, a trait shared with other Pisauridae.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg|401px |thumb|Six-spotted fishing spider standing on water [4]]]<br />
Dolomedes spiders are commonly found in habitats near freshwater, including the edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and low human disturbance, which provide both cover and a steady supply of prey. Their distribution is widespread, with various species occurring in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. The presence of water is crucial to their lifestyle, as it provides both a hunting ground and an escape route from predators. Some species have adapted to life in wet forests or flooded grasslands, highlighting their ecological versatility within aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. <br />
Dolomedes spiders exhibit notable reproductive behaviors, particularly in their courtship and maternal care. Mating typically occurs in the warmer months, during which males must approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey. Courtship often involves leg tapping or vibration signaling on the water or substrate to identify themselves as potential mates. After mating, the female produces a spherical egg sac, which she carries in her chelicerae for several days to weeks. During this time, she remains mobile and continues to hunt. When the spiderlings are close to hatching, the female constructs a nursery web—an enclosed silken structure, usually in nearby vegetation, where she suspends the egg sac. [3] She guards the nursery web vigilantly until the young emerge and disperse. This high level of maternal investment, including egg sac transport and web guarding, is characteristic of the Pisauridae family and helps improve offspring survival in the wild. [2]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[3] Foelix, Rainer F. Biology of Spiders. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.<br />
<br />
[4] Adam Tyrrell. “Can Spiders Walk on Water? - Rove Pest Control.” Rove Pest Control, 10 Dec. 2020, www.rovepestcontrol.com/blog/can-spiders-walk-on-water/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=13606Fishing spiders2025-05-02T17:46:29Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pisauridae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedes<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Overview==<br />
Dolomedes is a genus within the spider family Pisauridae, meaning that while all Dolomedes species are part of the Pisauridae family, not all Pisauridae belong to the genus Dolomedes. The Pisauridae family, commonly referred to as nursery web and fishing spiders, includes several genera characterized by their active hunting behavior and, in some cases, associations with aquatic habitats. Dolomedes is one of the most prominent and widely recognized genera in this family, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and ability to walk on water and dive beneath the surface to catch prey. Other genera in the Pisauridae family, such as Pisaura, exhibit different behaviors—like building nursery webs to protect their egg sacs—but share similar morphological traits. Therefore, Dolomedes represents a specific and specialized group within the broader, more diverse Pisauridae family.<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Dolomedes spiders, commonly known as fishing spiders, are among the largest true spiders in North America and Europe. They typically have a body length ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, with leg spans that can exceed 75 millimeters. Their bodies are robust and elongated, often colored in shades of brown, gray, or black, with lighter markings along the cephalothorax and abdomen that help with camouflage in natural settings. One of their distinguishing features is their long, powerful legs, which are covered in hydrophobic hairs that allow them to move across the surface of water. Like other members of the Pisauridae family, Dolomedes spiders have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows, giving them excellent vision for detecting movement in their environment.<br />
<br />
Behaviorally, Dolomedes spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to catch their prey. Instead, they use their keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations to detect and ambush [[insects]], small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic [[organisms]]. They can stand or run across water, and some species can even dive below the surface to pursue or escape. When diving, they can remain submerged for several minutes by trapping air around their bodies. Dolomedes spiders are generally solitary and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting at night. Females are also known for their parental care; they carry their egg sacs in their jaws and build protective nursery webs for their spiderlings, a trait shared with other Pisauridae.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg|401px |thumb|Six-spotted fishing spider standing on water [4]]]<br />
Dolomedes spiders are commonly found in habitats near freshwater, including the edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and low human disturbance, which provide both cover and a steady supply of prey. Their distribution is widespread, with various species occurring in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. The presence of water is crucial to their lifestyle, as it provides both a hunting ground and an escape route from predators. Some species have adapted to life in wet forests or flooded grasslands, highlighting their ecological versatility within aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. <br />
Dolomedes spiders exhibit notable reproductive behaviors, particularly in their courtship and maternal care. Mating typically occurs in the warmer months, during which males must approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey. Courtship often involves leg tapping or vibration signaling on the water or substrate to identify themselves as potential mates. After mating, the female produces a spherical egg sac, which she carries in her chelicerae for several days to weeks. During this time, she remains mobile and continues to hunt. When the spiderlings are close to hatching, the female constructs a nursery web—an enclosed silken structure—usually in nearby vegetation, where she suspends the egg sac. [3] She guards the nursery web vigilantly until the young emerge and disperse. This high level of maternal investment, including egg sac transport and web guarding, is characteristic of the Pisauridae family and helps improve offspring survival in the wild. [2]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[3] Foelix, Rainer F. Biology of Spiders. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.<br />
<br />
[4] Adam Tyrrell. “Can Spiders Walk on Water? - Rove Pest Control.” Rove Pest Control, 10 Dec. 2020, www.rovepestcontrol.com/blog/can-spiders-walk-on-water/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=13605Fishing spiders2025-05-02T17:45:51Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>==Overview==<br />
Dolomedes is a genus within the spider family Pisauridae, meaning that while all Dolomedes species are part of the Pisauridae family, not all Pisauridae belong to the genus Dolomedes. The Pisauridae family, commonly referred to as nursery web and fishing spiders, includes several genera characterized by their active hunting behavior and, in some cases, associations with aquatic habitats. Dolomedes is one of the most prominent and widely recognized genera in this family, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and ability to walk on water and dive beneath the surface to catch prey. Other genera in the Pisauridae family, such as Pisaura, exhibit different behaviors—like building nursery webs to protect their egg sacs—but share similar morphological traits. Therefore, Dolomedes represents a specific and specialized group within the broader, more diverse Pisauridae family.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pisauridae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedes<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Dolomedes spiders, commonly known as fishing spiders, are among the largest true spiders in North America and Europe. They typically have a body length ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, with leg spans that can exceed 75 millimeters. Their bodies are robust and elongated, often colored in shades of brown, gray, or black, with lighter markings along the cephalothorax and abdomen that help with camouflage in natural settings. One of their distinguishing features is their long, powerful legs, which are covered in hydrophobic hairs that allow them to move across the surface of water. Like other members of the Pisauridae family, Dolomedes spiders have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows, giving them excellent vision for detecting movement in their environment.<br />
<br />
Behaviorally, Dolomedes spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to catch their prey. Instead, they use their keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations to detect and ambush [[insects]], small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic [[organisms]]. They can stand or run across water, and some species can even dive below the surface to pursue or escape. When diving, they can remain submerged for several minutes by trapping air around their bodies. Dolomedes spiders are generally solitary and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting at night. Females are also known for their parental care; they carry their egg sacs in their jaws and build protective nursery webs for their spiderlings, a trait shared with other Pisauridae.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg|401px |thumb|Six-spotted fishing spider standing on water [4]]]<br />
Dolomedes spiders are commonly found in habitats near freshwater, including the edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and low human disturbance, which provide both cover and a steady supply of prey. Their distribution is widespread, with various species occurring in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. The presence of water is crucial to their lifestyle, as it provides both a hunting ground and an escape route from predators. Some species have adapted to life in wet forests or flooded grasslands, highlighting their ecological versatility within aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. <br />
Dolomedes spiders exhibit notable reproductive behaviors, particularly in their courtship and maternal care. Mating typically occurs in the warmer months, during which males must approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey. Courtship often involves leg tapping or vibration signaling on the water or substrate to identify themselves as potential mates. After mating, the female produces a spherical egg sac, which she carries in her chelicerae for several days to weeks. During this time, she remains mobile and continues to hunt. When the spiderlings are close to hatching, the female constructs a nursery web—an enclosed silken structure—usually in nearby vegetation, where she suspends the egg sac. [3] She guards the nursery web vigilantly until the young emerge and disperse. This high level of maternal investment, including egg sac transport and web guarding, is characteristic of the Pisauridae family and helps improve offspring survival in the wild. [2]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[3] Foelix, Rainer F. Biology of Spiders. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.<br />
<br />
[4] Adam Tyrrell. “Can Spiders Walk on Water? - Rove Pest Control.” Rove Pest Control, 10 Dec. 2020, www.rovepestcontrol.com/blog/can-spiders-walk-on-water/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg&diff=13604File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg2025-05-02T17:43:26Z<p>Grosmari: Grosmari uploaded a new version of File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg</p>
<hr />
<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg&diff=13603File:Fishing-spider-on-water.jpg2025-05-02T17:41:32Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=13602Fishing spiders2025-05-02T17:41:17Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>==Overview==<br />
Dolomedes is a genus within the spider family Pisauridae, meaning that while all Dolomedes species are part of the Pisauridae family, not all Pisauridae belong to the genus Dolomedes. The Pisauridae family, commonly referred to as nursery web and fishing spiders, includes several genera characterized by their active hunting behavior and, in some cases, associations with aquatic habitats. Dolomedes is one of the most prominent and widely recognized genera in this family, known for its semi-aquatic lifestyle and ability to walk on water and dive beneath the surface to catch prey. Other genera in the Pisauridae family, such as Pisaura, exhibit different behaviors—like building nursery webs to protect their egg sacs—but share similar morphological traits. Therefore, Dolomedes represents a specific and specialized group within the broader, more diverse Pisauridae family.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pisauridae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedes<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Dolomedes spiders, commonly known as fishing spiders, are among the largest true spiders in North America and Europe. They typically have a body length ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, with leg spans that can exceed 75 millimeters. Their bodies are robust and elongated, often colored in shades of brown, gray, or black, with lighter markings along the cephalothorax and abdomen that help with camouflage in natural settings. One of their distinguishing features is their long, powerful legs, which are covered in hydrophobic hairs that allow them to move across the surface of water. Like other members of the Pisauridae family, Dolomedes spiders have eight eyes arranged in two horizontal rows, giving them excellent vision for detecting movement in their environment.<br />
<br />
Behaviorally, Dolomedes spiders are active hunters that do not rely on webs to catch their prey. Instead, they use their keen eyesight and sensitivity to vibrations to detect and ambush [[insects]], small fish, tadpoles, and other aquatic [[organisms]]. They can stand or run across water, and some species can even dive below the surface to pursue or escape. When diving, they can remain submerged for several minutes by trapping air around their bodies. Dolomedes spiders are generally solitary and nocturnal, doing most of their hunting at night. Females are also known for their parental care; they carry their egg sacs in their jaws and build protective nursery webs for their spiderlings, a trait shared with other Pisauridae.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Dolomedes spiders are commonly found in habitats near freshwater, including the edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and low human disturbance, which provide both cover and a steady supply of prey. Their distribution is widespread, with various species occurring in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia. The presence of water is crucial to their lifestyle, as it provides both a hunting ground and an escape route from predators. Some species have adapted to life in wet forests or flooded grasslands, highlighting their ecological versatility within aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. <br />
Dolomedes spiders exhibit notable reproductive behaviors, particularly in their courtship and maternal care. Mating typically occurs in the warmer months, during which males must approach females cautiously to avoid being mistaken for prey. Courtship often involves leg tapping or vibration signaling on the water or substrate to identify themselves as potential mates. After mating, the female produces a spherical egg sac, which she carries in her chelicerae for several days to weeks. During this time, she remains mobile and continues to hunt. When the spiderlings are close to hatching, the female constructs a nursery web—an enclosed silken structure—usually in nearby vegetation, where she suspends the egg sac. [3] She guards the nursery web vigilantly until the young emerge and disperse. This high level of maternal investment, including egg sac transport and web guarding, is characteristic of the Pisauridae family and helps improve offspring survival in the wild. [2]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[3] Foelix, Rainer F. Biology of Spiders. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2011.<br />
<br />
[4] Adam Tyrrell. “Can Spiders Walk on Water? - Rove Pest Control.” Rove Pest Control, 10 Dec. 2020, www.rovepestcontrol.com/blog/can-spiders-walk-on-water/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg&diff=13599File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg2025-05-02T17:23:34Z<p>Grosmari: Grosmari uploaded a new version of File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg</p>
<hr />
<div>== Summary ==<br />
Dark fishing spider with a white background</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13598Araneidae2025-05-02T17:21:59Z<p>Grosmari: /* Webbing Habits */</p>
<hr />
<div>==Overview==<br />
Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock Orb-weaver July 2022.jpg|401px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View [7]]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Golden Orb-weaver spider web [8]]]<br />
==Web Placement and Habitat Preferences==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
==Web Construction Process==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
==Web Maintenance and Rebuilding Behavior==<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by slightly varying the web position each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable websites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
[7] Rosmarino, Gill. Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body. 26 July 2022. Author's Personal Collection<br />
<br />
[8] Smith, Barbara H. “Beneficial Yellow Garden Spiders.” Home & Garden Information Center, 2020, hgic.clemson.edu/beneficial-yellow-garden-spiders/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13397Araneidae2025-04-30T19:41:37Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>==Overview==<br />
Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock Orb-weaver July 2022.jpg|401px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View [7]]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Golden Orb-weaver spider web [8]]]<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
[7] Rosmarino, Gill. Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body. 26 July 2022. Author's Personal Collection<br />
<br />
[8] Smith, Barbara H. “Beneficial Yellow Garden Spiders.” Home & Garden Information Center, 2020, hgic.clemson.edu/beneficial-yellow-garden-spiders/.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13393Araneidae2025-04-30T19:28:07Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>==Overview==<br />
Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock Orb-weaver July 2022.jpg|401px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View [7]]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Golden Orb-weaver spider web]]<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
[7] Rosmarino, Gill. Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body. 26 July 2022. Author's Personal Collection</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Shamrock_Orb-weaver_July_2022.jpg&diff=13392File:Shamrock Orb-weaver July 2022.jpg2025-04-30T19:22:51Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Photo of Shamrock Orb-weaver. <br />
Taken by Gill Rosmarino<br />
Location: East Aurora <br />
Date: July 26, 2022</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Shamrock_Orb-weaver_July_2022.jpg&diff=13388File:Shamrock Orb-weaver July 2022.jpg2025-04-30T19:19:31Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13380Araneidae2025-04-30T19:11:06Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>==Overview==<br />
Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg|201px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Golden Orb-weaver spider web]]<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13374Araneidae2025-04-30T18:48:43Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg|201px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Golden Orb-weaver spider web]]<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13371Araneidae2025-04-30T18:44:51Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg|201px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Golden Orb-weaver spider web]]<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13370Araneidae2025-04-30T18:42:54Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) are known for their distinctive wheel-shaped webs. Common species include the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), known for its striking black and yellow coloring, and the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus), easily recognized by the white cross-shaped markings on its back. Orb-weavers are generally non-aggressive and beneficial for pest control. In media, one of the most famous depictions is Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, who is portrayed as a wise and kind orb-weaver spider, specifically modeled after a Barn Spider (Araneus cavaticus). Her character helped shape a positive public perception of spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg|201px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Orb-weaver spider web]]<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3] “How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6] Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13369Araneidae2025-04-30T18:38:16Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg|201px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|401px|thumb|Center of Orb-weaver spider web]]<br />
<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
==Reproduction==<br />
Araneidae have interesting reproductive behaviors. In many species, males are much smaller than females and must approach carefully to avoid being eaten, as females can mistake them for prey. Mating usually involves some form of courtship, like vibrations on the web, which helps the female recognize the male as a mate instead of food. After mating, some males are eaten by the female—a behavior known as sexual cannibalism, which may help by giving the female extra nutrients for her eggs. Females lay eggs in silk sacs and often hide or guard them until they hatch. These strategies help ensure that at least some of their offspring survive in the wild. [6]<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
The family Araneidae falls within the order Araneae and the suborder Araneomorphae, a group that encompasses the majority of modern spiders. Members of Araneidae vary widely in morphology and coloration, yet they are unified by their ability to construct the characteristic circular orb webs used for prey capture. Prominent genera within the family include Araneus, Argiope, and Gasteracantha. Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have continued to refine the taxonomy of this diverse group, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships with other web-building spiders<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3]“How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
[6]Schneider, Jutta, and Maydianne Andrade. “Mating Behaviour and Sexual Selection.” Spider Behaviour, Cambridge University Press, Jan. 2011, pp. 215–74, https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511974496.008.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Orb-weaver_spider_web.jpg&diff=13365File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg2025-04-30T18:26:52Z<p>Grosmari: Grosmari uploaded a new version of File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg</p>
<hr />
<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13364Araneidae2025-04-30T18:25:34Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg|201px|thumb|Shamrock Orb-weaver Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|570px|thumb|Center of Orb-weaver spider web]]<br />
<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, which they construct using a highly methodical process. Web building typically begins with the spider releasing a silk thread that catches onto a surface via the wind, forming a bridge line. The spider then reinforces this initial line and descends to create a Y-shaped framework, which serves as the base of the web. It continues by constructing radial spokes outward from a central hub, much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Next, the spider lays down a temporary spiral from the center outward to space the radial lines, followed by the final sticky capture spiral, which it builds inward toward the hub. This spiral is coated with adhesive droplets to trap prey. Most orb-weavers rebuild their webs daily, usually at dusk or dawn, and consume the old silk to recycle its proteins. [5]<br />
<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are strategic about web placement, typically building in open spaces between branches, across paths, or near lights where flying [[insects]] are abundant. They often select locations with minimal wind and sufficient anchor points to support the web’s radial structure. The position also varies by species—some prefer low vegetation, while others suspend their webs high in the canopy or on man-made structures. The goal is to maximize prey capture while minimizing damage from environmental factors. [3]<br />
<br />
Web rebuilding is common and serves several purposes. These spiders usually dismantle and consume their webs daily, often in the early morning or evening, to reclaim the silk proteins, which are energetically costly to produce. Environmental wear, dust accumulation, and reduced stickiness also degrade a web’s effectiveness over time. Rebuilding ensures the web remains optimally positioned and fully functional for catching prey. Additionally, by varying web position slightly each day, orb-weavers may avoid becoming predictable to predators or parasitic insects that exploit stable web sites. [4]<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. <br />
<br />
[2] “Orb Weaver Spider Control: Facts, Control & Tips – Aptive Environmental.” Aptive Environmental, 31 Aug. 2024, aptivepestcontrol.com/pests/spiders/orb-weaver-spiders/orb-weaver-spider-control-facts-control-tips/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20defining%20characteristics,giving%20them%20an%20unmistakable%20appearance.<br />
<br />
[3]“How Do Spiders Choose Where to Spin Their Webs?” Assured Environments, 5 Sept. 2024, www.assuredenvironments.com/blog/how-do-spiders-choose-where-to-spin-their-webs/. <br />
<br />
[4]Taras, Zach. “The Orb Weaver Spider Consumes Its Own Used Webs.” HowStuffWorks, 14 Jan. 2025, [[animals]].howstuffworks.com/arachnids/orb-weaver-spider.htm?.<br />
<br />
[5] Eberhard, William G. “Behavioral Characters for the Higher Classification of Orb-Weaving Spiders.” Evolution, vol. 36, no. 5, Oxford University Press (OUP), Sept. 1982, p. 1067, https://doi.org/10.2307/2408084.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Shamrock_orb-weaver.jpg&diff=13363File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg2025-04-30T18:25:21Z<p>Grosmari: Grosmari uploaded a new version of File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg</p>
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<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Shamrock_orb-weaver.jpg&diff=13362File:Shamrock orb-weaver.jpg2025-04-30T18:23:02Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
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<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13358Araneidae2025-04-30T18:08:40Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Wolf spider white bg.jpg|thumb|Wolf Spider Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:File.Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|thumb|Orb-weaver spider]]<br />
<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] <br />
[3]<br />
[4]</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=13353Araneidae2025-04-30T18:06:05Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Araneidae, orb-weaver spiders, are the largest group of orb-web-building spiders. The Araneidae family currently has 3,152 species and is the third largest family of spiders after Salticidae (Jumping spiders) and Linyphiidae (Sheet weaver spiders). [1]<br />
<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:Wolf spider white bg.jpg|thumb|Wolf Spider Full Body View]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Infrarder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Aranemorphae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Orb-weaver spiders are often identified by their brightly colored / patterned bodies. Araneidae have rounded abdomens that are used for storing food and producing silks. They also have characteristically elongated legs that aid in maneuvering across their webs. Near the bottom of the orb-weaver's abdomen, there are spinnerets present. Spinnerets are specialized organs that produce the silk threads for web constructions. Orb-weavers typically have three pairs of spinnerets, each having a specific job in the creation of the orb-weaver’s intricate webs. Orb-weavers vary greatly in size; large species of Orb-weavers can average 1-5 inches in size, while smaller species of Orb-weavers can average 1-8 centimeters in size.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg|thumb|Orb-weaver spider]]<br />
<br />
==Webbing Habits==<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Bern, Museum. “NMBE - World Spider Catalog.” Nmbe.ch, 2025, wsc.nmbe.ch/statistics/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] <br />
[3]<br />
[4]</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Orb-weaver_spider_web.jpg&diff=13347File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg2025-04-30T18:04:26Z<p>Grosmari: Grosmari uploaded a new version of File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg</p>
<hr />
<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Orb-weaver_spider_web.jpg&diff=13340File:Orb-weaver spider web.jpg2025-04-30T18:00:55Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Shamrock-orbweaver.png&diff=12786File:Shamrock-orbweaver.png2025-04-18T17:28:57Z<p>Grosmari: Blanked the page</p>
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<div></div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=File:Shamrock-orbweaver.png&diff=12785File:Shamrock-orbweaver.png2025-04-18T17:26:39Z<p>Grosmari: Shamrock Orbweaver found on July 26, 2022 in East Aurora</p>
<hr />
<div>== Summary ==<br />
Shamrock Orbweaver found on July 26, 2022 in East Aurora</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Araneidae&diff=12784Araneidae2025-04-18T17:16:02Z<p>Grosmari: Created page with "Orb Weavers"</p>
<hr />
<div>Orb Weavers</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Rhizobia&diff=12783Rhizobia2025-04-18T17:13:13Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
Rhizobia are Gram-negative bacteria that fix nitrogen in [[soil]] and aid in the growth and development of plants. Rhizobia comes from two Greek words — 'rhiza' meaning 'root', and 'bios', meaning 'life' <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. Rhizobia can only fix nitrogen when associated with a plant that provides it with carbohydrates and are only associated with legumes, but not all legumes associate with rhizobia.<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2"| [[File:Rhizobia.jpeg|900px|thumb|Pink rhizobia nodules actively fixing nitrogen]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Bacteria<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pseudomonadota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Alphaproteobacteria<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Hyphomicrobiales<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Rhizobiaceae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Rhizobium<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Rhizobia are not confined to a single genus, as they span multiple genera: Rhizobium, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, and Azorhizobium <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>. The ability to fix nitrogen and form nodules is determined by symbiosis-related genes, which can be transferred between species. A characteristic of rhizobia belonging to the family Rhizobiaceae is their genome organization in multireplicons and their phenotypic distinctive characteristics in extrachromosomal replicons <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Ecology and Habitat==<br />
<br />
Rhizobia live in various environments, including soil, [[plant roots]], infection threads, and legume nodules at different stages <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>. They also live in the phyllosphere and root, flower, and leaf endospheres of legumes <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>. Their competition strategies change depending on nutrient availability, microbial density, and host plant. Rhizobia have a competitive advantage, as they use organic acids as key carbon sources in the [[rhizosphere]] and have various transporters and metabolic genes that help them absorb and break down nutrients <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>. Along with traits impacting the ability of rhizobia to inhabit the rhizosphere, competition for nodule occupancy also has an impact. Legumes can form dozens to over a thousand nodules, usually infected by a single rhizobium strain, creating a competitive bottleneck <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Symbiotic Relationship with Legumes==<br />
<br />
[[File:Rhizobium_and_Legumes.png|400px|thumb|left|Rhizobia-legume Symbiosis]]<br />
The symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes begins with a signal exchange between the host and plant and its microsymbiont, where the host induces cell divisions to form root nodule primordia, and simultaneously initiates an infection process to deliver the bacteria into the nodule cells <ref name= “Wang”>Wang, Q., Liu, J., & Zhu, H. (2018). Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Symbiotic Specificity in Legume-Rhizobium Interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 313–313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00313 </ref>. [[Root hairs]] then curl around the bacteria, forming infection threads that guide rhizobia into the root, where they are enclosed in membrane-bound structures called symbiosomes, where the bacteria transform into nitrogen-fixing bacteria <ref name= “Wang”>Wang, Q., Liu, J., & Zhu, H. (2018). Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Symbiotic Specificity in Legume-Rhizobium Interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 313–313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00313 </ref>. This symbiotic relationship is highly specific because no single rhizobial strain can form symbiosis with all legumes, and compatibility varies at species and genotypic levels <ref name= “Wang”>Wang, Q., Liu, J., & Zhu, H. (2018). Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Symbiotic Specificity in Legume-Rhizobium Interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 313–313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00313 </ref>. <br />
<br />
Through their symbiotic relationship with legumes, they enhance the availability of nutrients by breaking down [[Organic Matter|organic matter]] and releasing the nutrients into the soil <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>. Rhizobia and legumes work together to promote the growth of numerous plant species, thus strengthening the ecosystem <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Soil Benefits==<br />
<br />
[[File:RhizoNodules.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Root nodules in legumes formed by rhizobia]]<br />
Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth and development, but plants do not have the ability to use the nitrogen in the atmosphere directly <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>. Rhizobium forms symbiotic relationships with legume plants by developing root nodules, where it converts the nitrogen in the atmosphere into a form that plants can absorb <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>. This process improves soil health by increasing nitrogen availability, contributing to increased soil microbial [[diversity]], and improving soil structure. Rhizobia also enhances soil security by creating and maintaining soil aggregates and increasing soil [[porosity]], water infiltration, nutrient retention, and resistance to erosion and deterioration <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>. Some strains of rhizobia also possess biocontrol [[properties]], suppressing plant infections and illnesses <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>. The use of rhizobia through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by farmers reduces the negative effects of pesticide use on the environment <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Rhizobium Biotechnology==<br />
<br />
Biological nitrogen fixation is a process where nitrogen-fixing bacteria trap atmospheric nitrogen and convert it to NH<sub>3</sub> for utilization by plants <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. The use of rhizobia in [[agriculture]] is an alternative to pesticide to increase crop growth. Rhizobia may produce phytohormones such as gibberellic acid, IAA, and cytokinins that promote plant growth and development. Rhizobium biotechnology can provide additional benefits of crop stress tolerance, improvement in crop growth, and better quality of produce <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. Rhizobia also have the potential to support crops under climatic conditions and abiotic stress because Rhizobium inocula are often subjected to harsh soil environments, such as drought-tolerant and heat-tolerant strains of Rhizobium <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. As research on rhizobium biotechnology advances, this approach can mitigate the challenges posed by climate change and soil degradation and improve crop production sustainably.<br />
<br />
==References==</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Rhizobia&diff=12782Rhizobia2025-04-18T17:09:32Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
Rhizobia are Gram-negative bacteria that fix nitrogen in [[soil]] and aid in the growth and development of plants. Rhizobia comes from two Greek words — 'rhiza' meaning 'root', and 'bios', meaning 'life' <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. Rhizobia can only fix nitrogen when associated with a plant that provides it with carbohydrates and are only associated with legumes, but not all legumes associate with rhizobia.<br />
<br />
==Taxonomy==<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
|[[File:Rhizobia.jpeg|500px|thumb|Pink rhizobia nodules actively fixing nitrogen]]<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Bacteria<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Pseudomonadota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Alphaproteobacteria<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Hyphomicrobiales<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Rhizobiaceae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Genus:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Rhizobium<br />
|}<br />
<br />
Rhizobia are not confined to a single genus, as they span multiple genera: Rhizobium, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, and Azorhizobium <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>. The ability to fix nitrogen and form nodules is determined by symbiosis-related genes, which can be transferred between species. A characteristic of rhizobia belonging to the family Rhizobiaceae is their genome organization in multireplicons and their phenotypic distinctive characteristics in extrachromosomal replicons <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Ecology and Habitat==<br />
<br />
Rhizobia live in various environments, including soil, [[plant roots]], infection threads, and legume nodules at different stages <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>. They also live in the phyllosphere and root, flower, and leaf endospheres of legumes <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>. Their competition strategies change depending on nutrient availability, microbial density, and host plant. Rhizobia have a competitive advantage, as they use organic acids as key carbon sources in the [[rhizosphere]] and have various transporters and metabolic genes that help them absorb and break down nutrients <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>. Along with traits impacting the ability of rhizobia to inhabit the rhizosphere, competition for nodule occupancy also has an impact. Legumes can form dozens to over a thousand nodules, usually infected by a single rhizobium strain, creating a competitive bottleneck <ref name= "Burghardt">Burghardt, L. T., & diCenzo, G. C. (2023). The evolutionary [[ecology]] of rhizobia: multiple facets of competition before, during, and after symbiosis with legumes. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 72, 102281–102281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2023.102281 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Symbiotic Relationship with Legumes==<br />
<br />
[[File:Rhizobium_and_Legumes.png|400px|thumb|left|Rhizobia-legume Symbiosis]]<br />
The symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes begins with a signal exchange between the host and plant and its microsymbiont, where the host induces cell divisions to form root nodule primordia, and simultaneously initiates an infection process to deliver the bacteria into the nodule cells <ref name= “Wang”>Wang, Q., Liu, J., & Zhu, H. (2018). Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Symbiotic Specificity in Legume-Rhizobium Interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 313–313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00313 </ref>. [[Root hairs]] then curl around the bacteria, forming infection threads that guide rhizobia into the root, where they are enclosed in membrane-bound structures called symbiosomes, where the bacteria transform into nitrogen-fixing bacteria <ref name= “Wang”>Wang, Q., Liu, J., & Zhu, H. (2018). Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Symbiotic Specificity in Legume-Rhizobium Interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 313–313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00313 </ref>. This symbiotic relationship is highly specific because no single rhizobial strain can form symbiosis with all legumes, and compatibility varies at species and genotypic levels <ref name= “Wang”>Wang, Q., Liu, J., & Zhu, H. (2018). Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Symbiotic Specificity in Legume-Rhizobium Interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 313–313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00313 </ref>. <br />
<br />
Through their symbiotic relationship with legumes, they enhance the availability of nutrients by breaking down [[Organic Matter|organic matter]] and releasing the nutrients into the soil <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>. Rhizobia and legumes work together to promote the growth of numerous plant species, thus strengthening the ecosystem <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Soil Benefits==<br />
<br />
[[File:RhizoNodules.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Root nodules in legumes formed by rhizobia]]<br />
Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth and development, but plants do not have the ability to use the nitrogen in the atmosphere directly <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>. Rhizobium forms symbiotic relationships with legume plants by developing root nodules, where it converts the nitrogen in the atmosphere into a form that plants can absorb <ref name= “Ormeño-Orrillo”>Ormeño-Orrillo, E., Servín-Garcidueñas, L. E., Rogel, M. A., González, V., Peralta, H., Mora, J., Martínez-Romero, J., & Martínez-Romero, E. (2015). Taxonomy of rhizobia and agrobacteria from the Rhizobiaceae family in light of genomics. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 38(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2014.12.002 </ref>. This process improves soil health by increasing nitrogen availability, contributing to increased soil microbial [[diversity]], and improving soil structure. Rhizobia also enhances soil security by creating and maintaining soil aggregates and increasing soil [[porosity]], water infiltration, nutrient retention, and resistance to erosion and deterioration <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>. Some strains of rhizobia also possess biocontrol [[properties]], suppressing plant infections and illnesses <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>. The use of rhizobia through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by farmers reduces the negative effects of pesticide use on the environment <ref name= “Mng’ong’o”>Mng’ong’o, M. E., Ojija, F., & Aloo, B. N. (2023). The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 8, 100404-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2023.100404 </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Rhizobium Biotechnology==<br />
<br />
Biological nitrogen fixation is a process where nitrogen-fixing bacteria trap atmospheric nitrogen and convert it to NH<sub>3</sub> for utilization by plants <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. The use of rhizobia in [[agriculture]] is an alternative to pesticide to increase crop growth. Rhizobia may produce phytohormones such as gibberellic acid, IAA, and cytokinins that promote plant growth and development. Rhizobium biotechnology can provide additional benefits of crop stress tolerance, improvement in crop growth, and better quality of produce <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. Rhizobia also have the potential to support crops under climatic conditions and abiotic stress because Rhizobium inocula are often subjected to harsh soil environments, such as drought-tolerant and heat-tolerant strains of Rhizobium <ref name= “Maitra”>Maitra, S., Praharaj, S., Brestic, M., Sahoo, R. K., Sagar, L., Shankar, T., Palai, J. B., Sahoo, U., Sairam, M., Pramanick, B., Nath, S., Venugopalan, V. K., Skalický, M., & Hossain, A. (2023). Rhizobium as Biotechnological Tools for Green Solutions: An Environment-Friendly Approach for Sustainable Crop Production in the Modern Era of Climate Change. Current microbiology, 80(7), 219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-023-03317-w </ref>. As research on rhizobium biotechnology advances, this approach can mitigate the challenges posed by climate change and soil degradation and improve crop production sustainably.<br />
<br />
==References==</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=12560Fishing spiders2025-04-07T18:31:30Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Dolomedes, also known as fishing spiders, dock spiders, or wharf spiders. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic spiders that typically live near water and can run on water surfaces to catch prey. Fishing Spiders have hydrophobic hair on their skin that lets them survive in and on water. There are currently 101 species of fishing spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Often mistaken as Wolf spiders, Fishing spiders typically have brown or gray markings on their bodies, with brown and black markings on each of their legs. Legs can range between 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and the bodies are found to be over 1 inch in length. Fishing spiders have 8 eyes, two horizontal rows of four eyes. They have tiny velvety hydrophobic hairs all over their body.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Fishing spiders live primarily in small lakes and ponds as they typically feed on aquatic prey, but similar to most other spiders, fishing spiders are opportunistic hunters and will venture onto drier land for prey. Their webs are built under rocks or wooded areas.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. During breeding, the male spiders always die. [2]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=12559Fishing spiders2025-04-07T18:31:15Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Dolomedes, also known as fishing spiders, dock spiders, or wharf spiders. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic spiders that typically live near water and can run on water surfaces to catch prey. Fishing Spiders have hydrophobic hair on their skin that lets them survive in and on water. There are currently 101 species of fishing spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Often mistaken as Wolf spiders, Fishing spiders typically have brown or gray markings on their bodies, with brown and black markings on each of their legs. Legs can range between 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and the bodies are found to be over 1 inch in length. Fishing spiders have 8 eyes, two horizontal rows of four eyes. They have tiny velvety hydrophobic hairs all over their body.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Fishing spiders live primarily in small lakes and ponds as they typically feed on aquatic prey, but similar to most other spiders, fishing spiders are opportunistic hunters and will venture onto drier land for prey. Their webs are built under rocks or wooded areas.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. During breeding, the male spiders always die. [2]<br />
<br />
==Hunting Habits==<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
[2] Schwartz, Steven K., et al. “Spontaneous Male Death and Monogyny in the Dark Fishing Spider.” Biology Letters, vol. 9, no. 4, The Royal Society, Aug. 2013, p. 20130113, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0113. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=12558Fishing spiders2025-04-07T18:29:38Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Dolomedes, also known as fishing spiders, dock spiders, or wharf spiders. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic spiders that typically live near water and can run on water surfaces to catch prey. Fishing Spiders have hydrophobic hair on their skin that lets them survive in and on water. There are currently 101 species of fishing spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Often mistaken as Wolf spiders, Fishing spiders typically have brown or gray markings on their bodies, with brown and black markings on each of their legs. Legs can range between 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and the bodies are found to be over 1 inch in length. Fishing spiders have 8 eyes, two horizontal rows of four eyes. They have tiny velvety hydrophobic hairs all over their body.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Fishing spiders live primarily in small lakes and ponds as they typically feed on aquatic prey, but similar to most other spiders, fishing spiders are opportunistic hunters and will venture onto drier land for prey. Their webs are built under rocks or wooded areas.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
Reproduction litter size: 1000 - 1200. During breeding, the male spiders always die.<br />
<br />
==Hunting Habits==<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=12557Fishing spiders2025-04-07T18:29:01Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Dolomedes, also known as fishing spiders, dock spiders, or wharf spiders. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic spiders that typically live near water and can run on water surfaces to catch prey. Fishing Spiders have hydrophobic hair on their skin that lets them survive in and on water. There are currently 101 species of fishing spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Often mistaken as Wolf spiders, Fishing spiders typically have brown or gray markings on their bodies, with brown and black markings on each of their legs. Legs can range between 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and the bodies are found to be over 1 inch in length. Fishing spiders have 8 eyes, two horizontal rows of four eyes. They have tiny velvety hydrophobic hairs all over their body.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Fishing spiders live primarily in small lakes and ponds as they typically feed on aquatic prey, but similar to most other spiders, fishing spiders are opportunistic hunters and will venture onto drier land for prey. Their webs are built under rocks or wooded areas.[1]<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
<br />
<br />
==Hunting Habits==<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
[1] “Dark Fishing Spider.” Missouri Department of Conservation, 31 Dec. 2024, mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dark-fishing-spider#:~:text=Habitat%20and%20Conservation,occurs%20in%20drier%20wooded%20areas. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.<br />
<br />
</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=12556Fishing spiders2025-04-07T18:26:15Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Dolomedes, also known as fishing spiders, dock spiders, or wharf spiders. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic spiders that typically live near water and can run on water surfaces to catch prey. Fishing Spiders have hydrophobic hair on their skin that lets them survive in and on water. There are currently 101 species of fishing spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Often mistaken as Wolf spiders, Fishing spiders typically have brown or gray markings on their bodies, with brown and black markings on each of their legs. Legs can range between 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and the bodies are found to be over 1 inch in length. Fishing spiders have 8 eyes, two horizontal rows of four eyes. They have tiny velvety hydrophobic hairs all over their body.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
Fishing spiders live primarily by small lakes and ponds as they typically feed on aquatic prey, but similar to most other spiders, fishing spiders are opportunistic hunters and will venture onto drier land for prey. Their webs are built under rocks or wooded areas.<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
<br />
<br />
==Hunting Habits==<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Astigmatina&diff=12555Astigmatina2025-04-07T18:20:56Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Astigmatina ==<br />
Astigmatina, also known as astigmatine [[mites]], dust mites, grain mites, fur mites, and feather mites are an order of mites that have been around for about 389 million years and live within our soils and even have evolved to be able to survive in our households [3]. They can be found in many different areas of the world from forests to deserts and even inside other [[organisms]] as parasites and mutualistic relationships. It is also to note that Astigmatine mites are a subset of [[Oribatida]].<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[File:EVS463 Astig mite.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Astigmatine Mite]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subclass:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Acari<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Superorder:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |''Acariformes''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |''Sarcoptiformes''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Abundance and Diversity ==<br />
Astigmatine mites can be found worldwide (excluding polar regions) and are one of the more uncommon mites found in [[soil]]. They are often found in numbers of 10,000-16,000 individuals per square meter [5]. Astigmatine mites prefer moist soil and habitats which is why they can be found in different environments like forests, deserts, freshwaters, oceans, agroecosystems following harvest, manures, and are commonly found in households [5]. These mites have adapted throughout their time to better themselves in specific niches; astigmatine mites have been known to be found infesting stored foods and animal feed for both household pets and agricultural [[animals]] [3]. It is also important to note that these mites are a very hardy class of mites and while they prefer to live in moist high temperature zones they can easily adapt to extremes like living in deserts in a more dry climate [5]. While these oribatid mites have lived on Earth for hundreds of millions of years, it wasn’t until the 18th century when scientists began studying the mites later called feather mites in birds to more recent years where the mites have been studied for their role in [[agriculture]] and effects on allergies in humans.<br />
<br />
== Biology ==<br />
Astigmatine mites are one of the less common classes of mites, with the Oribatided mites being the largest of the mites. The astigmatine mites have roughly 4500 identified species and another 90,000-180,000 additional estimated species yet to be identified [1]. They are soft bodies mites that are white to brown in color [2]. Astigmatine mites have an average size of 0.15mm to 2mm depending on the species [2]. At the larval stage they have six legs and as they mature and reach their adult stage, they develop eight legs and a 2 segmented chelicerae (mouth part similar to that of arachnids) [3].<br />
<br />
== Life Cycle ==<br />
Astigmatine mites are an egg laying species of mites that reproduce sexually. These mites go through a number of different stages in life in which each stage they develop new features to help with their survival and reproduction. The first stage is the egg stage where the larvae is developed then they move to the second stage, the [[Hexapod]] Larva stage, at this stage they develop six legs and begin feeding until they molt and begin their third stage. In the third stage, the Protonymph stage, they develop eight legs and their first pair of genital papillae (reproductive organs) and become very active feeders. The fourth stage, the Deutonymph stage, is not found in all astigmatine mites but in many; this stage is when the mite will find a host in an animal or insect to call home. The fifth stage, the Tritonymph stage, is the stage in which they grow a second pair of genital papillae. The final stage, the Adult stage, is when the mite has fully developed its reproductive system and reproduce with male and female mites to then begin the life cycle all over again by laying eggs [3].<br />
<br />
== Feeding Habits ==<br />
Astigmatine mites are a very diverse group of mites that feed on a variety of different food sources. Many feed on fungi, plants, and [[algae]] but other more specific feeders will find hosts to feed off of and infest the nests of [[insects]], mammals, feathers of birds, gills of fish where others feed on animal waste and dead animals. When these mites find hosts they have the potential of causing very serious diseases or minor inconveniences like allergies towards the mites [1].<br />
<br />
== Impacts on Soil ==<br />
Astigmatine mites, similar to many other mites, contribute to feeding on and breaking down organic material in soil and depositing nutrients back into the soil. They help decompose matter and release necessary components back into the soil to create rich soils. While they can cause harm to crop and harvested materials, they still play an important role in regulating soil health [6].<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
[1] Astigmata - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). . https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/astigmata.<br />
<br />
[2] Astigmatina. 2024, November 5. . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astigmatina <br />
<br />
[3] Astigmatina (Astigmata, Acaridida). (n.d.). . https://idtools.org/id/invasive_mite/Invasive_Mite_Identification/key/Major_Mite_taxa/Media/Html/Astigmatina.htm.<br />
<br />
[4] Coleman, D. C., D. A. Crossley Jr., D. C. Coleman, and D. A. Crossley Jr. 2004. Fundamentals of Soil [[Ecology]]. Elsevier Science & Technology, Chantilly, UNITED STATES. https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/lib/buffalo/reader.action?docID=288744&ppg=70 <br />
<br />
[5] Lagerlöf, J., and O. Andrén. 1988. Abundance and activity of soil mites ([[Acari]]) in four cropping systems. Pedobiologia 32:129–146. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031405623002251 <br />
<br />
[6] Soil Mite - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). . https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/soil-mite.</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12554Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:16:19Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|right|[3] Wood log to wood fiber and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) at different scales]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12553Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:15:05Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|right| Wood log to wood fiber and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) at different scales|3]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12552Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:14:44Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|right| Wood log to wood fiber and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) at different scales.|3]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12551Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:14:27Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|right|Wood log to wood fiber and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) at different scales.|3]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12550Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:13:56Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|[right Wood log to wood fiber and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) at different scales.|3]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12549Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:13:18Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|right Wood log to wood fiber and cellulose nanofibril (CNF) at different scales.|3]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12548Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:11:43Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|right|3]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Holocellulose&diff=12547Holocellulose2025-04-07T18:10:50Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>== Description ==<br />
"Holocellulose" is defined as the carbohydrate or polysaccharide portion of biomass which is composed of cellulose and hemicellulose. Holocellulose is obtained by removing [[lignin]] from said biomass [1]. This is done in a lab, as Holocellulose is not a naturally occurring compound. [2]. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose are among the most important compounds found in plant cell walls, and can be used to inform [[decomposition]] and N2O emission rates in [[soil]] [4].<br />
<br />
==Composition==<br />
Holocellulose is created following the removal of lignin from biomass, leaving the cellulose and hemicellulose. This is done in a lab, often to separate hemicellulose from lignin [2]. In nature, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose occur together in a form called lignocellulose. <br />
As a collective, lignocellulose can dictate and inform many [[properties]] of the soil. For example, a low lignin content compared to high cellulose and hemicellulose will predict high N2O emission rates and soil carbon decomposition [4].<br />
<br />
==Ecological Significance==<br />
Despite Holocellulose not existing in nature, it still may be used to inform soil properties. For example, cellulose and hemicellulose are more available to soil microbes than lignin is. This means that soil with a low lignin content as compared to cellulose and hemicellulose will have a higher decomposition rate. This can also be used to inform microbial biomass, [[soil pH]], soil carbon, Nitrogen retention, and nitrate content [4]. Cellulose and hemicellulose is easier for microbes to break down than lignin, and the resulting catabolism of cellulose and hemicellulose by bacteria and fungi makes energy sources and stored carbon available for soil [[organisms]] [1]. <br />
<br />
==Uses==<br />
Holocellulose is established within the biofuel, food, and paper industries [1]. Delignification of wood can produce “holo-fibers”, which can be used in certain nanotechnology applications [3]. <br />
[[File:Holonano.jpg|1100px|thumb|right|3]]<br />
In some cases, Holocellulose can be used to refer to a high cellulose and hemicellulose content and a low lignin content. It can be even used to refer to the cellulose and hemicellulose content of soil in isolation to lignin. While not technically a correct definition, this “faux holocellulose” can still be used to inform soil carbon decomposition rates as mentioned.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
[1] Segato, F., Damásio, A. R. L., de Lucas, R. C., Squina, F. M., & Prade, R. A. (2014). Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR, 78(4), 588–613. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00019-14<br />
[2] Holocellulose—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/holocellulose<br />
[3] Yang, X., & Berglund, L. A. (2021). Structural and Ecofriendly Holocellulose Materials from Wood: Microscale Fibers and Nanoscale Fibrils. Advanced Materials, 33(28), 2001118. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202001118<br />
[4] Wei, J., Reichel, R., Islam, M. S., Wissel, H., Amelung, W., & Brüggemann, N. (2020). Chemical Composition of High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments Affects Fertilizer-Derived N2O Emission and Nitrogen Immobilization in an Oxic Sandy [[Loam]]. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00015</div>Grosmarihttps://soil.evs.buffalo.edu/index.php?title=Fishing_spiders&diff=12546Fishing spiders2025-04-07T18:08:19Z<p>Grosmari: </p>
<hr />
<div>Dolomedes, also known as fishing spiders, dock spiders, or wharf spiders. Fishing spiders are semi-aquatic spiders that typically live near water and can run on water surfaces to catch prey. Fishing Spiders have hydrophobic hair on their skin that lets them survive in and on water. There are currently 101 species of fishing spiders.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 12px;<br />
|-<br />
|colspan="2" |[[ File:Fishing-spider-on-white.jpg|601px |thumb|Dark Fishing Spider on white background]]<br />
|-<br />
|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)|'''Scientific Classification'''<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Domain:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Eukaryota<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Kingdom:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Animalia<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Phylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |[[Arthropod]]a<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Subphylum:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Chelicerata<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Class:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Arachnida<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Order:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Araneae<br />
|-<br />
!style="min-width:6em; |Family:<br />
|style="min-width:6em; |Dolomedidae<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Description==<br />
Often mistaken as Wolf spiders, Fishing spiders typically have brown or gray markings on their bodies, with brown and black markings on each of their legs. Legs can range between 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and the bodies are found to be over 1 inch in length. Fishing spiders have 8 eyes, two horizontal rows of four eyes. They have tiny velvety hydrophobic hairs all over their body.<br />
<br />
==Habitats==<br />
<br />
<br />
==Mating and Reproduction==<br />
<br />
<br />
==Hunting Habits==<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==</div>Grosmari