Araneomorph

Guides

Amaurobius
Lace web spiders, Tangled nest spiders
Amaurobius is a genus of araneomorph spiders in the family Amaurobiidae, first described by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1837. The genus contains approximately 68 species with primarily Holarctic distribution. Members are commonly known as lace web spiders or tangled nest spiders due to their characteristic web architecture. The genus includes notable species such as Amaurobius ferox, which exhibits the rare behavioral phenomenon of matriphagy, where offspring consume the mother after hatching.
spider araneomorph lace-web tangled-nest matriphagy Holarctic
Anapistula
Anapistula is a genus of minute araneomorph spiders in the family Symphytognathidae, established by Gertsch in 1941. The genus comprises 28 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, South America, and Europe. Members exhibit diverse habitat preferences: approximately 18 species occur in leaf litter, soil, and mosses, while seven are obligate cave-dwellers (troglobites) and one inhabits cave entrances. The genus includes some of the smallest spiders known, with A. ataecina from Portugal representing both the first European record of the family and one of the smallest described spider species.
cave-dwelling troglobite minute sheet-web parthenogenesis-suspected Asia South-America Europe leaf-litter soil-dwelling moss-dwelling araneomorph symphytognathid Gertsch-1941
Cicurina brevis
Cicurina brevis is a small araneomorph spider species distributed across northern North America. A 2024 study identified this species as a potential subnivium specialist, exhibiting higher population densities beneath seasonal snowpack in winter than during summer months. This seasonal activity pattern suggests adaptation to cold-weather environments, distinguishing it from typical summer-active forest floor spiders.
spider araneomorph subnivium winter-active cold-adapted forest-floor seasonal-specialist
Cryphoeca
Cryphoeca is a genus of small araneomorph spiders first described by Tamerlan Thorell in 1870. The genus name derives from Greek meaning "hidden," reflecting its reclusive habits beneath loose bark and within stone walls. The genus contains twelve described species with a Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Cryphoeca species are nocturnal and among the larger members of their subfamily, reaching nearly eight millimeters in body length.
spider araneomorph cryptic nocturnal forest bark-dwelling Holarctic
Cybaeus
Soft Spiders
Cybaeus is a genus of araneomorph spiders in the family Cybaeidae, first described by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1868. The genus contains approximately 198 species distributed across America, Europe, Japan, Korea, and China. North American species are classified into Holarctic and Californian clades, with many exhibiting restricted geographic ranges and conservation concerns. Females of different species are difficult to distinguish, particularly in North America; species identification relies heavily on examination of male pedipalps.
araneomorph cybaeid marronoid RTA-clade conservation-concern endemic male-genitalia restricted-range
Dysderidae
woodlouse hunters, sowbug-eating spiders, cell spiders, woodlouse hunter spiders
Dysderidae is a family of araneomorph spiders commonly known as woodlouse hunters or sowbug-eating spiders. The family is found primarily in Eurasia and North Africa, with one species, Dysdera crocata, introduced worldwide. Members are characterized by six eyes arranged in a semicircle, enlarged chelicerae with long fangs, and haplogyne genitalia lacking a sclerotized epigyne in females. The two largest genera, Dysdera and Harpactea, comprise most of the family's approximately 665 species.
spider araneomorph nocturnal introduced-species urban
Gertschanapis shantzi
Gertschanapis shantzi is a minute araneomorph spider and the sole species in its genus. It belongs to the family Anapidae, a group of small spiders often associated with leaf litter and moss habitats. The species was first described from specimens collected in the United States and remains poorly known due to its cryptic size and habitat.
spider araneomorph minute leaf-litter North-America rarely-collected monotypic-genus
Kukulcania geophila
crevice weaver
Kukulcania geophila is a species of crevice weaver spider in the family Filistatidae, distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it constructs distinctive lacy, cribellate webs that emerge from sheltered retreats in crevices. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females being larger, dark-colored, and long-lived compared to males. Two subspecies are recognized: K. g. geophila and K. g. wawona.
spider crevice-weaver cribellate nocturnal sexual-dimorphism araneomorph southwestern-North-America
Mexitlia
Mexitlia is a genus of cribellate araneomorph spiders in the family Dictynidae, first described by Pekka T. Lehtinen in 1967. The genus is endemic to North America and currently contains three recognized species: M. altima, M. grandis, and M. trivittata. Members of this genus possess a cribellum, a silk-producing organ characteristic of certain spider lineages.
spider cribellate North-American dictynid araneomorph
Neocryphoeca
Neocryphoeca is a genus of small North American araneomorph spiders in the family Cybaeidae, established by V. D. Roth in 1970. It contains only two described species, both endemic to the United States: N. beattyi and N. gertschi. The genus was originally classified with funnel weavers (Agelenidae) but was reassigned to Cybaeidae in 1983 based on morphological evidence. Cybaeidae spiders are generally associated with moist microhabitats and build simple sheet webs or silk retreats.
spider araneomorph cybaeidae north-america endemic rare
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae dwarf-spider Arctic boreal Holarctic tundra montane predator cold-adapted ground-dwelling high-latitude high-altitude Saaristo Marusik Chyzer Kulczyński 1894 2004-revision genitalic-characters epigynum embolus conductor palaearctic nearctic Eurasia North-America Scandinavia Siberia Alaska Canada Greenland Kazakhstan Mongolia China Kurile-Islands Finland Sweden Norway Germany Switzerland Italy Slovakia Bulgaria Central-Europe type-species:-Oreoneta-frigida thirty-species 30-species small-spider sheet-web-weaver money-spider Linyphiinae Erigoninae microhabitat litter-dwelling cryptic understudied taxonomic-revision morphological-taxonomy light-microscopy species-description biogeography glacial-refugia post-glacial-colonization endemic regional-endemic alpine-endemic Arctic-endemic boreal-forest taiga rocky-habitat meadow wetland stream-margin snowbed fellfield heath moss lichen vegetation soil-surface stone rock boulder scree talus debris humus organic-layer permafrost polar subpolar cold-stenotherm stenotherm stenotopic habitat-specialist conservation rare data-deficient IUCN red-list natural-history systematics phylogeny molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding COI cytochrome-oxidase 28S 18S ITS morphology taxonomy alpha-taxonomy revision monograph faunistics chorology zoogeography dispersal vicariance speciation cryptic-species species-complex species-group species-aggregate subspecies infraspecific variation polymorphism sexual-dimorphism male female juvenile instar ecdysis molting development growth reproduction mating courtship sperm-transfer spermatophore pedipalp palpal-organ copulatory-organ genitalia epigyne vulva spermatheca fertilization-duct copulatory-duct atrium scape maceration dissection microscope stereomicroscope compound-microscope illustration drawing photography SEM scanning-electron-microscopy habitus dorsal ventral lateral prosoma opisthosoma abdomen cephalothorax carapace sternum chelicera fang leg tarsus metatarsus tibia patella femur coxa trochanter spinneret colulus tracheal-spiracle book-lung cuticle seta hair spine macroseta sensillum chaetotaxy eye oculus ocelli anterior-median-eye posterior-median-eye anterior-lateral-eye posterior-lateral-eye eye-tubercle clypeus fovea pedicel waist constriction color pattern pigmentation melanism albinism size measurement total-length carapace-length carapace-width abdomen-length leg-length leg-formula index ratio proportion allometry ontogeny subadult adult maturity sexual-maturity reproductive-maturity longevity life-span generation-time voltinism univoltine semivoltine biennial perennial overwintering diapause quiescence cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance freeze-avoidance supercooling cryoprotectant glycerol sorbitol trehalose thermal-biology thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation postural-thermoregulation activity diurnal nocturnal crepuscular matutinal vespertine circadian rhythm seasonal phenology calendar date month activity-period breeding-season oviposition egg egg-sac cocoon silk web sheet-web tangle-web space-web platform-web dome-web bowl-web funnel retreat signal-line dragline attachment-disc ampullate-gland cylindriform-gland aciniform-gland aggregate-gland flagelliform-gland tubuliform-gland piriform-gland major-ampullate minor-ampullate silk-protein spidroin fibroin sericin glue viscid dry capture-silk dragline-silk safety-line anchor-line frame-line radial-line spiral-line sticky-spiral non-sticky-spiral hub perimeter substrate niche guild functional-group trophic-level carnivore zoophage arthropodivore insectivore prey capture attack subdue immobilize kill feed digest extraoral-digestion sucking-stomach gut midgut hindgut Malpighian-tubule excretion osmoregulation metabolism respiration trachea spiracle gas-exchange circulation hemolymph heart aorta sinus nervous-system brain ganglion nerve sensory-organ mechanoreceptor chemoreceptor thermoreceptor hygroreceptor photoreceptor proprioceptor trichobothrium tarsal-organ slit-sensillum lyriform-organ pedipalp-organ Haller's-organ contact-chemoreceptor gustatory olfactory pheromone semiochemical kairomone allomone synomone communication signal vibration seismic airborne visual chemical tactile copulation insemination sperm spermatozoon median-apophysis terminal-apophysis paracymbium cymbium bulbus tegulum subtegulum radix lamella process apophysis flange hook coil spiral duct reservoir sclerite plate field fossa pocket receptaculum spermathecae gland insemination-duct uterus uterus-externus uterus-internus vagina gonopore ovipositor ovary oviduct follicle vitellogenesis oogenesis spermatogenesis testis vas-deferens ejaculatory-duct seminal-vesicle fecundity fertility clutch-size egg-number hatching emergence ballooning aerial-dispersal silk-dragline gossamer migration movement walking running jumping climbing burrowing hiding refuge shelter defense predation predator-avoidance antipredator crypsis camouflage mimicry aposematism deimatic thanatosis autotomy leg-loss regeneration injury wound healing immune-response hemocyte melanization encapsulation nodule parasite parasitoid pathogen fungus bacterium virus nematode mite grooming cleaning hygiene self-maintenance silk-use web-use prey-capture foraging hunting ambush sit-and-wait active-hunting searching probing testing exploration learning memory cognition behavior ethology ecology population community ecosystem biome biosphere habitat environment abiotic biotic factor temperature humidity moisture precipitation rain snow wind light photoperiod day-length radiation UV soil cover complexity heterogeneity productivity energy nutrient carbon nitrogen phosphorus food-web trophic-interaction predator-prey competition intraspecific interspecific resource partitioning coexistence diversity richness evenness abundance density frequency occurrence presence absence detection sampling collection pitfall-trap quadrat transect hand-collecting beating sifting extraction Berlese Tullgren Winkler flotation sorting preservation ethanol formalin mount slide label catalog database repository museum voucher type holotype paratype syntype lectotype paralectotype neotype topotype original data locality georeference coordinate latitude longitude elevation altitude depth collector determination identification expert specialist literature publication journal article paper book thesis dissertation report checklist online digital archive bibliography reference citation author year volume page figure map table appendix supplementary material methods results discussion conclusion abstract keyword index-term subject topic discipline science biology zoology arachnology entomology evolution phylogenetics biological nature protection management policy legislation restoration monitoring assessment indicator flagship umbrella keystone engineer service function dynamics stability resilience resistance recovery succession disturbance climate change warming glacier range shift expansion contraction fragmentation isolation connectivity corridor network reserve park protected area wilderness urban rural agricultural forestry mining impact threat risk vulnerability sensitivity exposure adaptive capacity mitigation adaptation sustainable use harvest trade economy medicine research education outreach citizen engagement awareness appreciation aesthetic cultural spiritual existence value intrinsic instrumental utilitarian anthropocentric biocentric ecocentric ethic philosophy history discovery expedition voyage survey inventory fauna biota biodiversity life earth planet wildlife animal invertebrate arthropod chelicerate arachnid spider araneomorph entelegyne micryphantid Oreoneta 2004 frigida type-species alpine feeding type-specimen climate-change protected-area
Phruronellus
Phruronellus was a genus of North American araneomorph spiders described by R. V. Chamberlin in 1921. Its taxonomic placement changed over time, moving from Liocranidae to Corinnidae in 2002, then to Phrurolithidae in 2014. As of 2024, Phruronellus is recognized as a junior synonym of Scotinella Banks, 1911, and all species previously assigned to it have been transferred to that genus.
spider araneomorph North-America synonym Phrurolithidae
Strotarchus
Strotarchus is a genus of araneomorph spiders in the family Cheiracanthiidae, first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1888. The genus has undergone several family-level reassignments, originally placed in Clubionidae, moved to Miturgidae in 1967, and transferred to Cheiracanthiidae in 2014. It contains approximately 21 species distributed across the Americas and Pakistan, with the majority of species described from Mexico and the United States in 2012. The genus is considered a senior synonym of Marcellina and Coreidon.
spider araneomorph cheiracanthiid sac-spider
Trachelidae
Broad-Faced Sac Spiders, Ground Sac Spiders
Trachelidae is a family of araneomorph spiders within the RTA clade, elevated from subfamily status in 2014 based on molecular phylogenetic evidence. The family comprises 29 genera and approximately 307 species distributed across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide. Members are commonly known as broad-faced sac spiders or ground sac spiders, though many species are arboreal. The family is characterized by reduced leg spines and other distinctive morphological synapomorphies that distinguish it from related families Corinnidae and Clubionidae.
spider araneomorph RTA-clade sac-spider wandering-hunter arboreal ground-dwelling
Yorima
Yorima is a genus of araneomorph spiders in the family Cybaeidae, first described by Chamberlin & Ivie in 1942. The genus has undergone several family reassignments, originally placed in Agelenidae (funnel weavers), then Dictynidae in 1967, and finally Cybaeidae in 2017 based on revised phylogenetic understanding. It contains six described species distributed in the United States and Cuba, with most species occurring in the western United States.
spider arachnid Cybaeidae araneomorph North-America Cuba