Many members of this group of families are highly conspicuous and active while others are masters of immobility and camouflage. The active hunters include jumping spiders (Salticidae). On the other hand, many thomisids (crab spiders) typify "sit and wait" prey capture strategy. Individuals may wait in inflorescences and attempt to grab prey that visit the flower for nectar or pollen (see photos below). Dionychans produce silk but in general, as with other types of hunting spiders and mygalomorphs, they do not use it directly to ensnare prey.

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Myrmecium sp.
Corinnidae
Trinidad & Tobago
ant mimic

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Trachelas tranquillus
Corinnidae
Ohio, USA
cohabiting pair in opened nest

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Lyssomanes sp.
Salticidae -- jumping spiders

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Unidentified jumping spider
Salticidae
Trinidad & Tobago
courting male

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Sarinda sp.
Salticidae

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Tutelina elegans
Salticidae
Massachusetts, USA

© Copyright 2005 by Joseph Warfel, Eighth-Eye Photography

Platycryptus undatus
Salticidae
Ohio, USA

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Phidippus sp.
Salticidae
stalking prey

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Misumena vatia
Thomisidae (crab spiders)
South Dakota, USA
eating Apis

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Misumenoides formosipes
Thomisidae
eating Apis

© Copyright 2000 by Fred Coyle

Tmarus angulatus
Thomisidae
Ohio, USA
female guarding eggs

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Amyciaea albomaculata
Thomisidae
Cape Tribulation, Australia
mimics its weaver ant prey (Oecophylla)

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Stephanopis championi
Thomisidae
Pavones, Costa Rica

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Unidentified philodromid
Philodromidae (running crab spiders) 
New Mexico, USA

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Pandercetes gracilis
lichen huntsman
Sparassidae (giant crab spiders)  
Cape Tribulation, Australia

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Platyoides sp.
Trochanteriidae
Badplaas, South Africa

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

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last modified November 27, 2009