The limits of the Araneoidea (Arachnida : Araneae)

Abstract

A comparative morphological study of the following spider families is presented: Anapidae, Microphol-commatidae, Textricellidae, Mimetidae, Malkaridae, Archaeidae and Pararchaeidae. The results provide strong evidence for the placement of Textricellidae and Micropholcommatidae in the Araneoidea. Among others, probably the best autapomorphic character for the Araneoidea, the triad (three spigots together producing the gluey capture thread) could be found in all six species of micropholcommatids and textricellids in both females and males. Within the Araneoidea, these two families share many characters with the Anapidae, thus their assignment to the higher symphytognathoids is most likely to be correct. The presence of a labral spur in the Micropholcommatidae is also verified.

Mimetidae and Malkaridae are most probably araneoid. The position and monophyly of the Archaeidae s.l. remains doubtful.

The Palpimanoidea, which was considerably enlarged in a revision by Forster and Platnick (1984), is therefore here cut back to its original size.