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.