Araneus gemma | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Araneidae |
Genus: | Araneus |
Species: | A. gemma
|
Binomial name | |
Araneus gemma
McCook, 1888
| |
Synonyms | |
Epeira gemma |
Araneus gemma, commonly known as the cat-faced spider (a name shared with Araneus gemmoides) or jeweled orbweaver spider, is a common outdoor orb-weaver spider found in the western United States and Canada.
Like most Araneus species, A. gemma is harmless to humans. It contains a venomous toxin of low molecular weight called argiotoxin, [1] that antagonizes the actions of the neurotransmitter glutamate. [2] Dopamine was also identified in the venom of A. gemma in a concentration of 4.3 nM. [3]
The web silk of the A. gemma ranges from 1 to 4 μm in diameter. [4]
Araneus gemma | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Araneidae |
Genus: | Araneus |
Species: | A. gemma
|
Binomial name | |
Araneus gemma
McCook, 1888
| |
Synonyms | |
Epeira gemma |
Araneus gemma, commonly known as the cat-faced spider (a name shared with Araneus gemmoides) or jeweled orbweaver spider, is a common outdoor orb-weaver spider found in the western United States and Canada.
Like most Araneus species, A. gemma is harmless to humans. It contains a venomous toxin of low molecular weight called argiotoxin, [1] that antagonizes the actions of the neurotransmitter glutamate. [2] Dopamine was also identified in the venom of A. gemma in a concentration of 4.3 nM. [3]
The web silk of the A. gemma ranges from 1 to 4 μm in diameter. [4]