Dolomedes tenebrosus
Species of spider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dolomedes tenebrosus, known as the dark fishing spider, is a species of fishing spider found in the United States and Canada.[1][2] Despite belonging to Dolomedes, it is better described as a "tree-dwelling spider".[3]
| Dark fishing spider | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Dolomedidae |
| Genus: | Dolomedes |
| Species: | D. tenebrosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Dolomedes tenebrosus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
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Females are 15–26 millimetres (0.59–1.02 in) (excluding legs); and males are 7–13 millimetres (0.28–0.51 in). Leg lengths range from 50–90 millimetres (2.0–3.5 in). The spider is a pale to dark brown colour with several chevron markers and lighter stripes around its legs, similar to D. scriptus.[2] The legs are banded with brown/black annulations on the femora and reddish-brown/black annulations on the tibia.[3] During copulation, females of the species practice sexual cannibalism on their male counterparts. Research shows that the males' self-sacrifice through consumption by the female increases the chance of survivorship of future offspring.[4]
Habitat
They are found in wooded areas and dwell on trees. It will commonly enter homes in wooded locations.[3]
Bite
It is capable of biting humans, but typically flees "at the slightest movement". In most cases, the bite is no more severe than a bee or wasp sting. Those sensitive to spider venom may be at risk. [3]
