Araneomorphae

Typical Spiders, True Spiders, Labidognatha

Family Guides

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Araneomorphae is a suborder of spiders comprising approximately 92% of all living spider . Members are distinguished by (fangs) that oppose each other diagonally forward and cross in a pinching action, contrasting with the parallel, downward-pointing fangs of Mygalomorphae. This diverse group includes orb-weavers, cobweb spiders, jumping spiders, wolf spiders, crab spiders, and huntsman spiders. Most species have at most one pair of book lungs and typically exhibit .

Neoscona by (c) Matthew Lindsey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matthew Lindsey. Used under a CC-BY license.Micaria gertschi by (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jared Shorma. Used under a CC-BY license.Lupettiana by (c) Cole Shoemaker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cole Shoemaker. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Araneomorphae: /ˌærənɪəˈmɔrfiː/

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Identification

Distinguished from Mygalomorphae by fang orientation: Araneomorphae have that point diagonally forward and cross in a pinching action, while Mygalomorphae have fangs that point straight down and remain parallel to the body axis. Most Araneomorphae possess at most one pair of book lungs, compared to two pairs in Mygalomorphae. Females typically live one year versus the multi-year lifespan common in Mygalomorphae females.

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Habitat

Terrestrial environments globally, including forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, caves, tree hollows, and human-modified landscapes. Web-building occupy diverse microhabitats from ground level to ; some lineages specialized for dark, damp such as cellars and caves.

Distribution

Global distribution across all terrestrial and continents except Antarctica. Present in temperate, tropical, and arid regions with abundance and diversity varying by structure, climate, and latitude.

Seasonality

Activity patterns vary by and climate; seasonal composition shifts documented in tropical regions with higher species representation in March-June versus August-November in some localities. Many temperate species overwinter as or juveniles.

Diet

feeding primarily on insects and other small arthropods. Prey capture strategies vary widely: orb webs, sheet webs, cobwebs, active hunting without webs, and ambush .

Life Cycle

Typically with or juveniles; some exhibit or longer cycles. High mortality rates in early instars. Females typically produce egg sacs with variable timing by species and season; some carry egg sacs in .

Behavior

Web-building serves as primary foraging strategy in many . Spiderlings engage in ballooning (aerial ) using silk threads. documented, including mate consumption. Antipredator include (death feigning), dropping from webs, and web-rocking. activity prevalent in many . Males often wander searching for females; elaborate courtship behaviors observed.

Ecological Role

Major in terrestrial functioning as significant biocontrol agents of insect . Contribute to nutrient cycling through prey consumption. Serve as prey for vertebrates and other .

Human Relevance

Includes the vast majority of spiders encountered in human dwellings and gardens. Some control pest insects in agricultural and domestic settings. Subject of numerous persistent myths and hoaxes (e.g., exaggerated danger of hobo spiders, false claims about daddy long-legs venom). Venom of most species harmless to humans; medically significant species limited to few including Latrodectus (widow spiders) and Loxosceles (recluse spiders).

Similar Taxa

  • MygalomorphaeThe other major spider suborder; distinguished by parallel, downward-pointing fangs, two pairs of book lungs, and typically longer female lifespans. Includes tarantulas, trapdoor spiders, and funnel-web spiders.

Misconceptions

The name 'daddy long-legs' causes confusion: in some regions refers to cellar spiders (Araneomorphae: Pholcidae), in others to harvestmen (Opiliones, not spiders), and in the UK to crane flies. The 'Arachnius gluteus' toilet seat spider hoax and 'exploding cactus liberating baby tarantulas' myth are fabrications with no biological basis. Hobo spider (Eratigena agrestis) danger to humans remains unsubstantiated despite persistent claims.

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Systematics

Formerly divided into Hypochilae and Neocribellatae lineages; molecular phylogenetic studies have revised relationships, showing that traditional groupings such as Haplogynae are not monophyletic.

Diversity

Comprises over 92% of described spider , with including Araneidae (orb-weavers), Salticidae (jumping spiders), Lycosidae (wolf spiders), Thomisidae (crab spiders), Pholcidae (cellar spiders), and Theridiidae (cobweb spiders).

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