In this article, we will explore the topic of Araneomorphae in depth, analyzing its many facets and its impact on different aspects of daily life. From its origins to its relevance today, we will immerse ourselves in a journey through the history, advances, challenges and opportunities that Araneomorphae presents in society. Through different perspectives, we will address its influence on culture, the economy, technology and interpersonal relationships, with the aim of fully understanding its importance and the implications it entails. Likewise, we will examine the different points of view and opinions of experts in the field, in order to offer a broad and complete vision about Araneomorphae. Join us on this exciting journey to discover everything Araneomorphae has to offer!
Araneomorph spiders Temporal range:
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Nephila inaurata (Nephilidae) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Suborder: | Opisthothelae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Subdivisions | |
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Diversity | |
95 families |
The Araneomorphae (also called the Labidognatha or "true spiders"[1]) are an infraorder of spiders. They are distinguishable by chelicerae (fangs) that point diagonally forward and cross in a pinching action, in contrast to the Mygalomorphae (tarantulas and their close kin), where they point straight down. Araneomorphs comprise the vast majority (about 93%[2]) of living spiders.
Most spider species are Araneomorphae, which have fangs that face towards each other, increasing the orientations that they can employ during prey-capture. They have fewer book lungs (when present) - usually one pair - and the females typically live one year.
The Mygalomorphae have fangs that face towards the ground, and which are parallel to the long axis of the spider's body, thus they have only one orientation they can employ during prey capture. They have two pairs of book lungs, and the females often live many years.[3]
Almost all of the familiar spiders are included in the Araneomorphae group, one major exception being the tarantulas. There are a few other Mygalomorphae species that live around homes or gardens, but they typically are relatively small and not easily noticed.
The Araneomorphae, to the contrary, include the weavers of spiral webs; the cobweb spiders that live in the corners of rooms, and between windows and screens; the crab spiders that lurk on the surfaces of flowers in gardens; the jumping spiders that are visible hunting on surfaces; the wolf spiders that carpet hunting sites in sunny spots; and the large huntsman spiders.
In older schemes, the Araneomorphae were divided into two lineages, the Hypochilae (containing only the family Hypochilidae), and the Neocribellatae. The Neocribellatae were in turn divided into the Austrochiloidea, and the two series Haplogynae and Entelogynae, each containing several superfamilies. Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that the haplogynes in particular are not a monophyletic group. A 2020 study suggested the relationships among the major groups were as shown in the following cladogram.[4]
Araneomorphae | Haplogynae | |
The blue bar to the right shows the former Haplogynae in the sense of Coddington (2005).[5]
Genera | 1 | ≥2 | ≥10 | ≥100 |
Species | 1–9 | ≥10 | ≥100 | ≥1000 |