Photos of "Other" Araneomorph Spiders

 

Spiders fall into three broad groupings -- mesothelae (primitive spiders found in SE Asia), mygalomorphs (tarantulas and their allies) and araneomorphs (everything else -- the vast majority of living spiders). See phylogeny diagram.
This website groups araneomorphs as lycosoids, two-clawed hunters, orb-weavers, and "others" that are featured on this page.

Our "other" grouping is taxonomically diverse and includes examples of, among others, the most primitive araneomorphs (Hypochilus), the unusual "spitting" spiders (Scytodidae) that spray a sticky substance to subdue their prey and the infamous brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa). We have included a brief explanation of some of the taxonomic divisions within the araneomorph spiders. To learn more, consider purchasing a book on spider systematics such as Spiders of North America -- An Identification Manual (or alternative link to Amazon.com)

 

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Further use beyond viewing requires the copyright owner's permission.

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Paleocribellatae
This sub-group includes the most ancestral (plesiomorphic) traits of any araneomorph group. The group name comes from the possession of a cribellum (a plate containing numerous silk spigots that is the result of the fusion of the two anterior median spinnerets) and calamistrum which is a structure found on the IVth pair of walking legs. It is used to comb out the silk from the cribellum. This "woolly" cribellum silk is sticky and used for prey capture. Another ancestral trait in the paleocribellatae is the presence of two pairs of book lungs. These are both examples of traits that are believed to be plesiomorphic for all araneomorph spider -- i.e., traits that were possessed by the ancestral araneomorph.

Hypochilus pococki
Hypochilidae (lampshade spiders)
(Look closely!)

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

 

Neocribellatae
Araneoclada

This grouping contains all other araneomorph spiders. This includes all the spiders pictured below and those on the orbicularian (orb weaver), dionychan (two-clawed hunter), and lycosoid (wolf spiders and their allies) pages. The cribellum and calamistrum may be either present or lost in various neocribellate families, including those that are closely related to each other. Another example of important traits used to distinguish groups include the respiratory system (number of book lungs and tracheae).
 
Haplogynae
These are araneomorph spiders in which various characteristics (e.g., genital structures) are plesiomorphic, i.e., like those of ancestral spiders.

A caponiid
Caponiidae

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds

Pholcus phalangioides
Pholcidae (daddy longleg spiders)
Ohio, USA

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Scytodes sp.
Scytodidae (Spitting Spiders)
with diplurid prey

© Copyright 2001 by Bryan E. Reynolds
 

Loxosceles reclusa
Brown recluse
Sicariidae
South central USA and, rarely, isolated localities outside this range

Click here for more more information on this frequently misidentified spider

Photograph by Rick Vetter.
© Copyright 2005 by the Entomological Society of America

 
 
Entelegynae -- all other araneomorph spiders

Hersilia sp.
Hersiliidae
Badplaas, South Africa
female guarding eggs

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

 

Agelenopsis sp.
Agelenidae (funnel-web spiders)
Ohio, USA

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

Cycloctenus sp.
Cycloctenidae
New Zealand

© Copyright 2006 by Jerome Rovner

 

 

This photo gallery is brought to you by members of the AAS and other arachnologists.
The AAS wishes to thank the College of the Holy Cross for hosting this site.

last modified March 24, 2006