Spider with a captivating gaze
- Jenner Nex
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
World Spider Database celebrates anniversary
This spider is an ambush predator: Like all jumping spiders, the "Dark Sickleback" doesn't spin webs to catch prey, but instead stalks its victims, pouncing and killing them. Its special eyes help it do this. This spider species, measuring only six millimeters, is native to meadows throughout Europe and is just one of over 50,000 spider species listed in the World Spider Database.
Clearly visible in this portrait of a Dark Sickleback (Evarca arvuata) are the watchful eyes typical of jumping spiders, although only the four front eyes of its eight total eyes are visible in the image. With their two large, forward-facing main eyes, these spiders have excellent vision and can even perceive ultraviolet light.
The field of vision of the main eyes can also overlap with that of the lateral eyes, giving the animal depth perception. Jumping spiders can therefore see their prey much better than web-building spiders, and they can also smell and "hear" the insects quite well – even though they don't have ears.
The catalog includes more than 50,000 spider species.
The specimen shown in the photo is just one of 53,545 spider species currently listed and scientifically described in the World Spider Catalog. The digital catalog is maintained by the Natural History Museum of Bern on a freely accessible database and is funded in cooperation with arachnological societies. It is now celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Each spider species is recorded with its name, descriptions of its appearance, its origin, and references to specimens. Thanks to this information, researchers can definitively identify specimens found worldwide. In addition, scientists can find over 18,000 scientific articles on already known spider species in the catalog.
Another 50,000 unknown species.
Spiders are found in almost all terrestrial habitats. There, these eight-legged insectivores, as natural pest controllers, make a vital contribution to ecological balance and global biodiversity. With every spider species newly discovered and added to the catalog, we understand nature a little better. It is estimated that at least another 50,000 unknown species await exploration.
Source: Natural History Museum Bern, World Spider Catalog