philodromid

A philodromid is a spider belonging to the family Philodromidae, commonly known as running crab spiders. Members of this family are araneomorph spiders that resemble crabs in the broad, sideways posture of their legs and their agile locomotive style.

Philodromidae comprises numerous genera and hundreds of described species. They are distributed worldwide and occupy a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and suburban areas. Individuals are often found on bark, foliage, leaf litter, or flowers, where they hunt rather than rely on webs.

Morphology and identification commonly include a slender, oval to elongated body and long legs. The legs are frequently laterigrade, projecting to the sides, which gives a crab-like appearance. The eyes are arranged in two rows of four. Coloration is varied and often camouflages the spider against its substrate.

Behavior and ecology: philodromids are active hunters. They rely on speed, agility, and stealth to capture prey such as insects and other arthropods, rather than constructing large capture webs. Some species opportunistically hunt on flowers or foliage, while others ambush from bark or leaves. Silk is used mainly for retreat construction, draglines, and safety lines rather than for prey capture.

Life cycle and interactions: after mating, females lay egg sacs that may be guarded or hidden. Spiderlings disperse by crawling or through ballooning in suitable conditions. Philodromids are not considered dangerous to humans and bites are rare and typically mild.