Spiders of North America — 25

final version
Chapter 3

KEY TO SPIDER FAMILIES OF NORTH

AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO Darrell Ubick
Refer to the glossary for the meanings of unfamiliar abbreviations or terminology. A few commonly used abbreviations or
symbols not included in the glossary are defined below. All other abbreviations used can be found in the glossary. See illustra-
tion 71.1 in the glossary for the leg numbering scheme used in spider taxonomy. Geographic abbreviations are defined in the
Introduction page 3. Genitalic characters are found only on mature specimens.

L = length; W = width; > = greater than; < = less than; PT/C = patellar + tibial length of leg I / carapace length; size = body size
from the front of the carapace to the end of the abdomen as viewed dorsally. Anterior tibia refers to tibia of legs I and II.

INFRAORDERS OF ARANEAE
1 Chelicerae paraxial (fangs parallel, Fig. 3.1); with two
pairs of book lungs (Fig. 3.1); AMS completely absent;
with eight eyes; legs stout (PT/C < 2) ................................
.................................................. MYGALOMORPHAE ... 2
— Chelicerae diaxial (fangs opposing each other or oblique
Fig. 3.2); usually with at most one pair of book lungs (Fig.
3.2), if with two pairs of book lungs then with cribellum
and slender legs (PT/C = 3-5); AMS represented by cribel-
lum, colulus, or absent; with eight or fewer eyes; leg thick-
ness variable .......................... ARANEOMORPHAE ... 11
3.1
3.2

Families of MYGALOMORPHAE
2(1) Abdomen with 1-3 tergites (Fig. 3.3); anal tubercle sepa- 3.4
rated from spinnerets (Fig. 3.4) ....................................... 3
— Abdomen without tergites (Fig. 3.5); anal tubercle adja-
cent to spinnerets (Fig. 3.6) ............................................. 5

3.3
3(2) Endites long, 3/4 width of sternum (Fig. 3.7); labium and
sternum fused (Fig. 3.7); thoracic furrow quadrangular or 3.6
sub-oval (Fig. 3.8) .................................. ATYPIDAE, p. 41 3.5
Dist. e half of USA

— Endites short, at most 1/2 width of sternum (Fig. 3.9);

labium and sternum separated by a suture, groove, or at
least a depression (Fig. 3.9); thoracic furrow longitudinal
or rounded and pit-like .................................................... 4
Dist. widespread

4(3) Distal segment of PLS slender, at least 5 times as long as 3.7 3.8
3.9
basal width, tapering to a point, flexible, pseudosegmented
(Fig. 3.10) .......................... MECICOBOTHRIIDAE, p. 50
Dist. BC-CA, AZ

— Distal segment of PLS stouter, about 3 times as long as

wide, neither flexible nor pseudosegmented (Fig. 3.11) ...
................................................. ANTRODIAETIDAE, p. 39
Dist. widespread

3.10 3.11
26 Family key

5(2) Tarsi with 2 claws and claw tufts (Fig. 3.12) ....................... 3.12
................................................... THERAPHOSIDAE, p. 54
Dist. sw USA, e to FL

— Tarsi with 3 claws, lacking claw tufts (Fig. 3.13) ............. 6 3.13
Dist. widespread

6(5) PLS long (at least 1/2 carapace length) and slender (distal
segment L > 2 X W) (Fig. 3.14) ....................................... 7
— PLS short (at most 1/2 carapace length) and stout (distal 3.14
segment L < 2 X W) (Fig. 3.15) ....................................... 8
3.15

7(6) Endites with cuspules (Fig. 3.16); cheliceral inner surface

with row of 4-7 short black rod-like setae (Fig. 3.17); tho-
racic furrow transverse (Fig. 3.18); PLS 1/2 to 2/3 carapace
length (Fig. 3.18); size 16-23 mm; live in open burrows ...
.......................................... NEMESIIDAE (Calisoga), p. 52
— Endites lacking cuspules; cheliceral inner surface without 3.16
row of black rod-like setae; thoracic furrow pit-like or
longitudinal (Fig. 3.19); PLS at least 3/4 carapace length
(Fig. 3.19); size 2.5-17 mm; live in silken tubes or on sheet
webs ................................................... DIPLURIDAE, p. 48
Dist. BC-OR, AZ-TX, NC-TN

8(6) Abdomen posteriorly truncated, sclerotized, with longitu-

dinal grooves (Fig. 3.20) .....................................................
...................... CTENIZIDAE, in part (Cyclocosmia), p. 43
Dist. se USA
3.17
— Abdomen unmodified, posteriorly rounded, not scleroti-
zed, and without grooves ..................................................9 3.18
3.19

9(8) Females with a dense scopula on tarsus I (Fig. 3.21) and

with cheliceral promargin toothed and retromargin with a
row of short, stout, rounded tubercles (Fig. 3.22) .............
.............. CYRTAUCHENIIDAE, in part (Eucteniza), p. 45
Dist. TX

— Males or females with tarsus I lacking scopula but with

lateral spines (Fig. 3.23); if tarsus I with a weak scopula 3.20
and lacking spines then the cheliceral retromargin without
teeth (but may have a few denticles) ............................ 10
Dist. widespread 3.22

10(9) Both cheliceral margins toothed (Fig. 3.24); thoracic

furrow strongly procurved; anterior tarsi and metatarsi of 3.21
female with lateral rows of short, thorn-like spines (Fig.
3.25) ..................................... CTENIZIDAE, in part, p. 43
— Only cheliceral promargin toothed (Fig. 3.26); thoracic
furrow strongly procurved to straight; anterior tarsi and
metatarsi of female with few spines which are usually long 3.24
and slender (Fig. 3.27) ......................................................... 3.23
.................................. CYRTAUCHENIIDAE, in part, p. 45

3.25

3.27 3.26
Spiders of North America — Family key 27

Families of ARANEOMORPHAE
key to sections
11(1) With cribellum (Fig. 3.28) and calamistrum (Fig. 3.29) ...
................................................................ (Section 1) ... 14
— Without cribellum (Fig. 3.30) and calamistrum .......... 12
3.30
3.28
12(11) With fewer than 8 eyes ......................... (Section 2) ... 28
— With 8 eyes ..................................................................... 13

3.29
13(12) Tarsi 3-clawed, lacking scopulae and claw tufts (Fig. 3.31),
mostly web builders. Note if legs are slender and relatively
delicate, assume tarsi are 3-clawed .....................................
................................................................ (Section 3) ... 53
3.31
— Tarsi 2-clawed, usually with scopulae and claw tufts (Fig.
3.32). Note if claw tufts are present, assume tarsi are 2-
clawed .................................................... (Section 4) ... 83
3.32

Section 1
Cribellate ARANEOMORPHAE
Note male cribellates have a degenerate cribellum and consequently a reduced calamistrum

14(11) With 2 pairs of book lungs (Fig. 3.33) ...............................

.............................. HYPOCHILIDAE (Hypochilus), p. 120
3.35
— With 1 pair of book lungs (Fig. 3.34) ........................... 15

3.33 3.34
15(14) With fewer than 8 eyes .................................................. 16
— With 8 eyes ..................................................................... 18

16(15) With 4 eyes (Fig. 3.35); leg I greatly enlarged (Fig. 3.36) ..
.............. ULOBORIDAE, in part (Miagrammopes), p. 250
Dist. s TX

— With 6 eyes; leg I not enlarged ....................................... 17

Dist. widespread
3.36
3.38

17(16) Cribellum entire (Fig. 3.37); male palpus lacking median

apophysis (Fig. 3.38) ...........................................................
................................ DICTYNIDAE, in part (Lathys), p. 95
Dist. widespread

— Cribellum divided (Fig. 3.39); male palpus with median

apophysis (Fig. 3.40) ...........................................................
..... AMAUROBIIDAE, in part (Cavernocymbium), p. 60
Dist. CA
3.37

3.39
18(15) PME huge, several times the diameter of remaining eyes 3.40
(Fig. 3.41) ....................... DEINOPIDAE (Deinopis), p. 91
— PME not so enlarged ..................................................... 19

19(18) Eyes clustered on central mound, occupying < 1/2 width

of cephalic region (Fig. 3.42) ........................................ 20
— Eyes spread across carapace, occupying > 1/2 width of
cephalic region (Fig. 3.43) ............................................. 21 3.41 3.42 3.43
28 Family key

20(19) Anal tubercle enlarged and fringed with long setae (Fig.
3.44); chelicerae free; entelegyne ........................................
....................................... OECOBIIDAE (Oecobius), p. 183
— Anal tubercle not so modified (Fig. 3.45); chelicerae fused
(Fig. 3.46); haplogyne .................... FILISTATIDAE, p. 104
3.45
3.44
21(19) Anterior tibiae with at least 4 pairs of ventral spines (Fig.
3.47) ............................................................................... 22
— Anterior tibiae with fewer ventral spines ..................... 23 3.47

22(21) Anterior tibiae with 4-5 pairs of ventral spines, PER

straight to weakly procurved (Fig. 3.48); tarsi II-IV with 2
claws; body concolorous .....................................................
............................... ZOROCRATIDAE (Zorocrates), p. 258 3.46
Dist. AZ-TX

— Anterior tibiae with 6-7 pairs of ventral spines; PER recur-

ved (Fig. 3.49); all tarsi with 2 claws; body patterned ...... 3.48 3.49
....................................... ZOROPSIDAE (Zoropsis), p. 259
Dist. CA, introduced

— Anterior tibiae with 7-8 pairs of ventral spines; both PER 3.50
and AER strongly recurved (Fig. 2.49b) ............................
...................... CTENIDAE, in part (Acanthoctenus), p. 83
Dist. s USA, introduced

3.49b
3.51
23(21) Calamistrum extends over more than half the length of
metatarsus IV (Fig. 3.50) ............................................... 24
— Calamistrum extends over no more than half the length of
3.53
metatarsus IV (Fig. 3.51) ............................................... 26 II

24(23) Femora II-IV with rows of long trichobothria (Fig. 3.52); III 3.54
metatarsus IV dorsally concave (Fig. 3.53) and with ven-
tral row of short spines extending to tip of tarsus (Fig. IV
3.54); cribellum entire (Fig. 3.55) .......................................
........................................... ULOBORIDAE, in part, p. 250
— Femora II-IV without rows of long trichobothria; meta-
tarsus IV not so modified and without ventral row of 3.52
short spines; cribellum divided or entire ..................... 25
3.55
3.57
25(24) Endites converging apically (Fig. 3.56); cribellum usually
entire (Fig. 3.57); legs usually without spines ....................
............................................... DICTYNIDAE, in part, p. 95
3.56
— Endites parallel (Fig. 3.58); cribellum divided (Fig. 3.59);
legs with spines ...... TITANOECIDAE (Titanoeca), p. 248
3.59 3.60 3.62

26(23) Cheliceral margins with 5 to 7 stout teeth (Fig. 3.60); male

palpus with embolus threadlike, enclosed in membranous
conductor (Fig. 3.61) ...........................................................
............................... AMPHINECTIDAE (Metaltella), p. 63 3.58 3.63
Dist. CA, TX-FL 3.65
— Cheliceral margins usually with no more than 4 teeth (Fig.
3.62), if more, then teeth small and slender; male palpus
with embolus variable ................................................... 27
Dist. widespread

27(26) AME about 1.4 X larger than ALE (Fig. 3.63); male palpus
with embolus long and sigmoid, enclosed in membranous
conductor (Fig. 3.64) ...........................................................
.................................. DESIDAE, in part (Badumna), p. 93
— AME at most 1.2 X larger than ALE (Fig. 3.65); male
palpus with embolus usually short and stout, if long, then
arcuate, never enclosed in conductor (Fig. 3.66) ...............
......................................... AMAUROBIIDAE, in part, p. 60 3.61 3.64 3.66
Spiders of North America — Family key 29

Section 2
Ecribellate ARANEOMORPHAE
with < 8 eyes

28(12) Eyes completely lacking (but may have small eye spots) ...
......................................................................................... 29
— At least 2 eyes present .................................................... 35

0 eyes
3.67 3.68

29(28) Anterior tibiae with 2-3 pairs of ventral spines ........... 30

— Anterior tibiae with few scattered ventral spines or none .
........................................................................................ 31

30(29) ALS contiguous, longer than PLS (Fig. 3.67) .....................

................................................. CYBAEIDAE, in part, p. 85
— ALS slightly separated, shorter than PLS (Fig. 3.68) .........
............................................... DICTYNIDAE, in part, p. 95
3.69
31(29) Male palp with exposed bulb, female lacking epigynum ...
.............................................................. (Haplogynes) ... 32 3.70
— Male palp with bulb enclosed by cymbium, female with
epigynum ............................................ (Entelegynes) ... 33

32(31) Abdomen with anterodorsal sclerotized ridge (Fig. 3.69); 3.71

with a pair of tracheal spiracles between epigastric furrow
and spinnerets (Fig. 3.70); colulus pentagonal, wider than
ALS (Fig. 3.71) ...... TELEMIDAE (Usofila, in part) p. 228
Dist. CA

— Abdomen without anterodorsal sclerotized ridge; with

one tracheal spiracle near spinnerets (Fig. 3.72); colulus
not so modified ............ LEPTONETIDAE, in part, p. 122
Dist. TX, GA

3.72
33(31) Tarsus IV lacking ventral comb; cheliceral retromargin
toothed (Fig. 3.73); chelicerae usually with stridulatory 3.74
file on outer face (Fig. 3.74); leg break at patella-tibia joint 3.73
(Fig. 3.75) .......................... LINYPHIIDAE, in part, p. 124
— Tarsus IV with ventral comb of serrated setae (Fig. 3.76);
cheliceral retromargin edentate or with small denticles; 3.75
chelicerae without stridulatory file; leg break at coxa-tro-
chanter joint ................................................................... 34
3.76

34(33) Cheliceral retromargin edentate, lacking both teeth and

denticles; male palp with inconspicuous paracymbium
(Fig. 3.77); female palp with small claw .............................
....................... THERIDIIDAE (Thymoites, in part) p. 235
Dist. s AZ

— Cheliceral retromargin with small denticles; male palp

with large retrolateral paracymbium (Fig. 3.78); female
palp with large claw ............ NESTICIDAE, in part, p. 178
Dist. CA, TX, Appalachian Mountains

3.77 3.78
30 Family key

2-4 eyes

35(28) Two eyes present (Fig. 3.79) ................................................

.............................................. CAPONIIDAE, in part, p. 75
— More than two eyes present .......................................... 36

36(35) Four eyes present ........................................................... 37

3.79
— Six eyes present .............................................................. 38

37(36) Two eyes pigmented; size 0.6 mm; litter spiders ................
................ SYMPHYTOGNATHIDAE (Anapistula), p. 226
Dist. FL

— All eyes unpigmented; size 3.6 mm; cave spiders ...............

............................. NESTICIDAE (Nesticus, in part) p. 178
Dist. TN

3.80
6 eyes
3.81
38(36) Male palp with exposed bulb, tarsus not modified into
cymbium (Fig. 3.80); female lacking epigynum (but may
have some sclerotization at epigastric area) .......................
.............................................................. (Haplogynes) ... 39
— Male palp with bulb enclosed by cymbium (Fig. 3.81),
female with epigynum ........................ (Entelegynes) ... 49

39(38) Chelicerae fused at base (Fig. 3.82) .............................. 40

— Chelicerae not fused at base, can be moved apart (Fig. 3.82
3.83) ............................................................................... 43

3.83
40(39) Eyes in two triads (Fig. 3.84) ...............................................
.............................................. PHOLCIDAE, in part, p. 194
— Eyes in three diads (Fig. 3.85) ....................................... 41

3.84
41(40) Carapace strongly convex (Fig. 3.86) .................................
........................................ SCYTODIDAE (Scytodes), p. 217
3.85 3.86
— Carapace flat .................................................................. 42

42(41) PER strongly recurved; carapace pear-shaped (Fig. 3.87) .

........................................ SICARIIDAE (Loxosceles), p. 222
— PER slightly recurved; carapace oval (Fig. 3.88) ................
........................................ DIGUETIDAE (Diguetia), p. 102

3.87
43(39) Size > 5 mm; tracheal spiracles paired, conspicuous, loca-
ted near book lung openings (Fig. 3.89) ...................... 44 3.88
— Size < 5 mm; tracheal spiracles inconspicuous, if
paired, then not near book lungs (Fig. 3.90) (except in 3.89
Oonopiidae Fig. 3.91) ................................................... 45

44(43) Tarsi with two claws; leg III not anteriorly directed ..........
........................................ DYSDERIDAE (Dysdera), p. 103
— Tarsi with three claws; leg III anteriorly directed (Fig. 3.90
3.92) ............................................. SEGESTRIIDAE, p. 219 3.92
3.91
Spiders of North America — Family key 31

45(43) Abdomen with sclerotized ridge on anterior dorsal surface

(Fig. 3.93) ............. TELEMIDAE (Usofila, in part), p. 228
— Abdomen without sclerotized ridge ............................. 46

46(45) Abdomen with 1 or 2 scuta (Fig. 3.94) ...............................

............................................. OONOPIDAE, in part, p. 185
— Abdomen without scuta ................................................ 47

3.93 3.94
47(46) Legs relatively long (PT/C > 1.5); PME usually posteriorly
displaced from LE (Fig. 3.95), if eyes contiguous then 3.95
occupying less than 1/2 cephalon width (Fig. 3.96) ..........
........................................ LEPTONETIDAE, in part, p. 122
— Legs shorter (PT/C ca 1); eyes in transverse arrangement,
if contiguous then occupying more than 1/2 cephalon
width .............................................................................. 48

48(47) Eyes in compact group (Fig. 3.97) if in transverse row (Fig.

3.98) then femur IV enlarged (Fig. 3.99); colulus absent .. 3.98
............................................. OONOPIDAE, in part, p. 185
Dist. widespread 3.97 3.96

— Eyes in transverse row (Fig. 3.100); femur IV not enlarged;

colulus large, broad (Fig. 3.101) .........................................
....................... OCHYROCERATIDAE (Theotima), p. 181
Dist. s FL

3.99
49(38) Abdomen with scutum (Fig. 3.102); size < 2 mm .............
............................ ANAPIDAE, in part, (Comaroma), p. 64 3.101
Dist. CA 3.100
— Abdomen without scutum; size variable ...................... 50

50(49) Tibia I with 2 to 3 pairs of ventral spines ..................... 51

3.104
— Tibia I with fewer ventral spines ................................... 52
3.103
3.102

51(50) ALS contiguous, longer than PLS (Fig. 3.103); eyes small,
widely separated (Fig. 3.104) ..............................................
.......................... CYBAEIDAE, in part (Cybaeozyga), p. 85
— ALS slightly separated, shorter than PLS (Fig. 3.105); eyes
larger, in two contiguous triads (Fig. 3.106) ......................
............................................... DICTYNIDAE, in part, p. 95
3.105

52(50) Tarsus IV with ventral comb of serrated bristles (Fig.

3.107); male palpus with large rigid basal paracymbium
(Fig. 3.108) .......................... NESTICIDAE, in part, p. 178
3.106
— Tarsus IV without ventral comb; male palpus with smaller
basal paracymbium flexibly attached by membrane (Fig. 3.107
3.109) ................................ LINYPHIIDAE, in part, p. 124

3.108 3.109
32 Family key

Section 3
Ecribellate 8-eyed ARANEOMORPHAE
with 3 claws

53(13) Male palpus with bulb exposed, tarsus not modified into
cymbium (Fig. 3.110); female without epigynum .............
....................................................... (HAPLOGYNES) ... 54
— Male palpus with bulb partially enveloped by cymbium 3.110
(Fig. 3.111); female with epigynum (Fig. 3.112) ............... 3.111
...................................................... (ENTELEGYNES) ... 57

Haplogynes
3.112
54(53) Eyes contiguous with AME surrounded by the others (Fig.
3.113) ............... CAPONIIDAE, in part, (Calponia), p. 75
— Eyes not so arranged ..................................................... 55

3.113
3.115
55(54) Eyes in three groups with AME forming a diad and the
others two triads (Fig. 3.114); chelicerae fused at base (Fig.
3.115) .................................. PHOLCIDAE, in part, p. 194
— Eyes in two transverse rows; chelicerae fused or not ... 56
3.114

56(55) Chelicerae fused at base (Fig. 3.116); endites converging

apically (Fig. 3.117) ................ PLECTREURIDAE, p. 201
— Chelicerae not fused (Fig. 3.118); endites parallel to diver-
ging (Fig. 3.119) ...... TETRAGNATHIDAE, in part, p. 232

3.116 3.117 3.118

Entelegynes

57(53) Chelicerae fused at base (Fig. 3.115); eyes in three groups

with AME forming a diad and the others two triads (Fig.
3.114); legs long and slender, PT/C > 1.6, with tarsi usually
flexible (Fig. 3.120) ............. PHOLCIDAE, in part, p. 194
Note although pholcids are haplogynes, some have complex genitalia and 3.119 3.120
may be mistaken for entelegynes

— Chelicerae not fused; eyes not so arranged; legs usually

shorter with rigid tarsi .................................................. 58

58(57) Tarsi with at most a single trichobothrium (0-1) ........ 59

— Tarsi with 2 or more trichobothria ............................... 69

Tarsi with 0-1 trichobothrium

59(58) PLS with long apical segment, about as long as abdomen

(Fig. 3.121); eyes clustered on a mound at center of cepha-
lon (Fig. 3.122) ............................ HERSILIIDAE p. 116
Dist. TX, FL
3.122
— PLS shorter; eye arrangement different ........................ 60
Dist. widespread 3.121
Spiders of North America — Family key 33

60(59) Anterior tibiae and metatarsi with prolateral row of

curved spines in serrated series (Fig. 3.123); cheliceral
armature of peg teeth (Fig. 3.124) ... MIMETIDAE, p. 171
— Anterior legs without such spines; chelicerae toothed or
edentate but without peg teeth ..................................... 61
3.127
61(60) Tarsus IV with ventral comb of serrated bristles (some-
times not distinct, lacking in Argyrodes) (Fig. 3.125); legs
usually lacking spines; chelicerae usually with basal exten-
sion (Fig. 3.126); epigynum without scape .................. 62
— Tarsus IV without ventral comb; legs with spines; cheli-
cerae lacking basal extension; epigynum sometimes with 3.124 3.129
scape ............................................................................... 63 3.123

62(61) Labium rebordered (Fig. 3.127); endites parallel (Fig.

3.127); male palpus with large basal paracymbium (Fig.
3.128) .................................. NESTICIDAE, in part, p. 178
— Labium not rebordered (Fig. 3.129); endites converging
apically (Fig. 3.129); male palpus with paracymbium
inconspicuous or represented by an apical or ectal notch 3.125
(Fig. 3.130) ....................... THERIDIIDAE, in part, p. 235
3.128

63(61) Tarsi as long as or longer than metatarsi ...................... 64

— Tarsi shorter than metatarsi .......................................... 65

64(63) Pedicel originating from opening on posterior slope of

carapace (Fig. 3.131); male abdomen with scutum (Fig. 3.126
3.132); male metatarsus I without clasping spur; female
3.131
without palpi .......................................................................
........................ ANAPIDAE, in part (Gertschanapis), p. 64
— Pedicel origin below edge of carapace (Fig. 3.133); male
abdomen without scutum; male metatarsus I usually with
clasping spur (Fig. 3.134); female with palpi .....................
........................................................ MYSMENIDAE, p. 175
3.130

65(63) Sternum with a pair of pits at labial margin (Fig. 3.135); 3.133
tibia IV with long trichobothria (Fig. 3.136); legs stout;
3.132
size < 2.5 mm .......................................................................
............. THERIDIOSOMATIDAE (Theridiosoma), p. 244
— Sternum without such pits; tibia IV without long tricho-
bothria; legs variable; size usually larger ...................... 66
3.134

66(65) Clypeus higher than 3 diameters of AME (Fig. 3.137);

chelicerae usually with stridulatory file on lateral surface,
lacking condyle (Fig. 3.138); legs weakly spined; tarsi
cylindrical; autospasy at patella-tibia joint; sheet web buil- 3.135
ders ................................................................................. 67
— Clypeus lower than 3 diameters of AME (Fig. 3.139); che- 3.136
licerae without stridulatory file, usually with condyle; legs
with strong spines; tarsi tapering distally; no autospasy at
patella-tibia joint; orb web builders ............................. 68

3.139

3.137 3.138
34 Family key

67(66) Male cymbium with integral retrolateral paracymbium

(Fig. 3.140); cymbium usually with a dorsoectal spinose
or cuspuliferous process (Fig. 3.141); female epigynum a
stout, tongue-like projection with apical openings (Fig.
3.142). Size > 5 mm .............. PIMOIDAE (Pimoa), p. 197
— Male cymbium with retrolateral paracymbium attached
by membrane (Figs. 3.143-3.144); cymbium usually
lacking dorsoectal process; female epigynum variable, if
tongue-like less than 5 mm. Size usually < 5 mm ............. 3.142
............................................ LINYPHIIDAE, in part, p. 124
3.140 3.141

68(66) Endites square or rectangular (Fig. 3.145); epigynum

usually 3 dimensional, usually with scape (flat in Hyp-
sosinga, Mastophora, and Zygiella) (Fig. 3.146); palpus
with radix and median apophysis (Fig. 3.147); palpal tibia
wider than long, cup-shaped with irregular distal margin
(except in Zygiella); builders of vertical orb-webs .............
.............................................................. ARANEIDAE, p. 68 3.145
— Endites elongate, widest at distal edge (Fig. 3.148); epigy-
num absent or a flat plate with at most a swelling (Meta,
Fig. 3.149) or a large cone-shaped protuberance (Plesio-
meta); palpus without radix or median apophysis (Fig.
3.150); palpal tibia longer than wide (except Nephila) and
conical (except Meta) (Fig. 3.150); most are builders of
horizontal orb-webs (except Nephila) .............................. 3.144 3.148
3.143
................................ TETRAGNATHIDAE, in part, p. 232

Tarsi with 2 or more trichobothria 3.149

69(58) Tarsal and metatarsal trichobothria in dorsal row

increasing in length distally (Fig. 3.151); at least anterior 3.146
3.147
trochanters not notched ................................................ 70
— Tarsal and metatarsal trichobothria in two irregular rows
(Fig. 3.152); all trochanters with shallow to deep notches
(Fig. 3.153) ..................................................................... 80

3.151

Trichobothria in a single dorsal row

70(69) ALS enlarged, others reduced (Fig. 3.154); clypeus high 3.150
3.152
(Fig. 3.155); endites strongly converging, lacking serrula
(Fig. 3.156) ...................................... ZODARIIDAE, p. 254
— ALS at most only slightly larger than the others; endites
not strongly converging; serrula present (Fig. 3.157) ........
......................................................................................... 71
3.155

71(70) Colulus large and broad, occupying at least half the width
of the spinning area (Fig. 3.158) ................................... 72
3.153
— Colulus width less than half of the spinning area (Fig.
3.159) ............................................................................. 73 3.154
3.156

72(71) Distribution: FL ...................................................................

............................... DESIDAE, in part (Paratheuma), p. 93
— Distribution: s CA ...............................................................
............................. DICTYNIDAE, in part (Saltonia), p. 95
3.157
3.158
3.159
Spiders of North America — Family key 35

73(71) Spinnerets arranged in transverse row (Fig. 3.160); tra-

cheal spiracle positioned well anterior of spinnerets (Fig.
3.160) .................................. HAHNIIDAE, in part, p. 112
— Spinneret arrangement not so modified; tracheal spiracle
near spinnerets .............................................................. 74
3.161

74(73) Legs with plumose hairs (Fig. 3.161); both eye rows stron-
gly procurved (Fig. 3.162), except in Tegenaria, which has
distinctive sternum markings (Fig. 3.163) .........................
............................................................ AGELENIDAE, p. 56
— Legs lacking plumose hairs; at least anterior eye row
straight (Fig. 3.164) ....................................................... 75
3.160

75(74) ALS contiguous or nearly so, thicker and usually longer

than PLS (Fig. 3.165) ............. CYBAEIDAE, in part, p. 85
— ALS distinctly separated, shorter than PLS (Fig. 3.166) .... 3.162
......................................................................................... 76
3.163

76(75) Anterior tibiae with 4 or more pairs of ventral spines (Fig. 3.164
3.167) .................................. HAHNIIDAE, in part, p. 112
— Anterior tibiae with 3 or fewer pairs of ventral spines ......
......................................................................................... 77

77(76) Cheliceral retromargin with 2-5 equal sized teeth, no den-

ticles ............................................................................... 78 3.165 3.166
— Cheliceral retromargin with both teeth and denticles or
with more than 5 teeth .................................................. 79

78(77) Size > 5 mm ................... AMAUROBIIDAE, in part, p. 60

— Size < 5 mm ........................ HAHNIIDAE, in part, p. 112
3.167

79(77) Legs long and slender, PT/C > 1.25; male palp with api-
cally produced cymbium (Fig. 3.168) ...............................
.................... HAHNIIDAE, in part (Calymmaria), p. 112
— Legs shorter and stouter, PT/C < 1; male palp with unmo- 3.169
dified cymbium ................ DICTYNIDAE, in part, p. 95

3.168
Trichobothria scattered

80(69) Tarsi long and flexible (Fig. 3.169) .....................................

................................. TRECHALEIDAE (Trechalea), p. 249
— Tarsi not flexible ............................................................ 81
3.171
3.170
81(80) Clypeus high; AME small, others larger, forming hexagon
(PER procurved) (Fig. 3.170, frontal view); cheliceral mar-
gins with at most a single tooth; trochanters with shallow
notches ............................................. OXYOPIDAE, p. 189
— Clypeus low; PER recurved; chelicerae strongly toothed;
trochanters deeply notched ........................................... 82

3.173
82(81) PER strongly recurved with PLE posterior to PME so that
eyes appear as 3 rows (Fig. 3.171, frontal view); male palp
lacking RTA (Fig. 3.172) .................... LYCOSIDAE, p. 164
— PER not as strongly recurved, PLE lateral to PME (Fig.
3.173, dorsal view); male palp with RTA (Fig. 3.174) ........ 3.172
........................................................... PISAURIDAE, p. 199 3.174
36 Family key

Section 4
Ecribellate 8-eyed ARANEOMORPHAE
with 2 claws

83(13) Legs laterigrade, extending laterally from the body and

twisted so that the morphologically prolateral surface of
the anterior legs is functionally dorsal (Fig. 3.175) ..... 84
— Legs prograde: anterior pair directed forward, posterior
backward (Fig. 3.176) .................................................... 88

3.175

Legs laterigrade
3.176

84(83) Carapace extremely flat; AER with 6 eyes (includes PME)

(Fig. 3.177) .................. SELENOPIDAE (Selenops), p. 221
— Carapace not so flat; eye arrangement different .......... 85

85(84) Anterior legs thicker and longer than posterior ones (Fig.
3.175); tarsi lacking scopulae; chelicerae lacking teeth ......
......................................................... THOMISIDAE, p. 246
— Anterior legs not so enlarged, (although leg II may be
3.177
significantly longer than others); tarsi with scopulae; che-
licerae usually with teeth or denticles ........................... 86

86(85) Smaller spiders (size < 10 mm); cheliceral retromargin

lacking teeth ............. PHILODROMIDAE, in part, p. 192
— Larger spiders (size usually > 10 mm); cheliceral retro-
margin with teeth or denticles ...................................... 87
3.178

87(86) Metatarsi with dorsoapical trilobed membrane permitting

hyperextension of tarsi (Fig. 3.178); tarsi with thick claw
tufts; cheliceral retromargin with teeth; trochanters with
deep notches ..................... SPARASSIDAE, in part, p. 224
Dist. sw USA and FL

— Metatarsi with dorsoapical trilobed membrane; tarsi with

thick claw tufts; cheliceral retromargin with denticles (Fig.
3.179); trochanters not notched .........................................
........... SPARASSIDAE, in part (Pseudosparianthis), p. 224
Dist. FL

— Metatarsi lacking dorsoapical trilobed membrane; tarsi

lacking claw tufts, but tarsal scopulae apically produced
and may give impression of tufts; cheliceral retromargin
with teeth (Fig. 3.180); trochanters with shallow notche ..
....................... TENGELLIDAE, in part (Lauricius), p. 230 3.179 3.180
Dist. AZ-NM

Legs prograde

88(83) AME greatly enlarged, PER on lateral edge of carapace;

carapace anteriorly truncate, face nearly vertical (Fig.
3.181) ................................................ SALTICIDAE, p. 205
— Eyes and carapace not so modified ............................... 89

3.181
Spiders of North America — Family key 37

89(88) PER strongly recurved, eyes appear as 3 rows with anterior

edge of PLE at or behind the posterior edge of PME (Fig.
3.184) ............................................................................. 90
— PER variable, but not strongly recurved ...................... 93

3.182
90(89) Anterior tibiae with at least 5 pairs of strong ventral spines
(Fig. 3.182) ..................................................................... 91
— Anterior tibiae with fewer ventral spines ..................... 92

91(90) AER strongly recurved with ALE small and contiguous

with PME and PLE (Fig. 3.183); size > 6 mm ....................
................................................................ CTENIDAE, p. 83
— AER straight to slightly recurved (Fig. 3.184); size < 6
mm ............................................. ZORIDAE (Zora), p. 256
3.183 3.184
92(90) Carapace narrow, longer than wide (Fig. 3.185); grass spi-
ders .......... PHILODROMIDAE, in part (Tibellus), p. 192
Dist. widespread

— Carapace broad, as long as wide (Fig. 3.186); ground spi-

ders ...... HOMALONYCHIDAE (Homalonychus), p. 118 3.187
Dist. s CA-AZ

93(89) Tracheal spiracle at middle of abdomen (Fig. 3.187); claw

tufts of broad, lamelliform setae (Fig. 3.188) .....................
..................................................... ANYPHAENIDAE, p. 66
3.185 3.186
— Tracheal spiracle near spinnerets; claw tufts of normal
setae ................................................................................ 94

3.188
94(93) Anterior spinnerets cylindrical and noticeably separated
(may appear contiguous in Micaria and some Orodras-
sus) (Fig. 3.189); PME usually modified, either elliptical,
oval or triangular (Fig. 3.190); cheliceral margins usually
weakly toothed, with only denticles, or lacking armature,
sometimes keeled or with only 2-3 teeth; endites usually
with distinct oblique median depression (not conspicuous
in Callilepis) (Fig. 3.191); claw tufts always present .... 95
— ALS conical, contiguous at base (Fig. 3.192); PME usually 3.191 3.189
round (if oval then anterior tibiae with 5-6 pairs of ven-
tral spines); cheliceral margins strongly toothed; endites
nearly parallel, often widened distally, usually lacking
transverse median depression (if so then anterior tibiae
with 5-6 pairs of ventral spines); claw tufts present or
absent ............................................................................. 96
3.194

95(94) PER straight (Fig. 3.190) or recurved, rarely procurved 3.190

(Scopoides) (Fig. 3.193); ALS with fewer and only modera-
tely elongated spigots (Fig. 3.194); tarsal claws and at least
cheliceral promargin toothed .............................................
...................................................... GNAPHOSIDAE, p. 106
— PER strongly procurved (Fig. 3.195); ALS with numerous 3.193 3.195
greatly elongated spigots (Fig. 3.196); tarsal claws and che-
liceral margins lacking teeth ...............................................
.................................................. PRODIDOMIDAE, p. 203

96(94) PLS distinctly two-segmented, distal segment conical (Fig.

3.197) ............................................. MITURGIDAE, p. 173 3.196
— PLS one-segmented or if two-segmented, distal segment
rounded (Fig. 3.192) ..................................................... 97

3.192 3.197
38 Family key

97(96) Legs lacking spines, but anterior tibiae with ventral cusps
(Fig. 3.198) ...........................................................................
..................... CORINNIDAE, in part, (TRACHELINAE), p. 79 3.198
— Legs with spines ............................................................. 98

98(97) Anterior tibiae with more than 4 pairs of ventral spines ..

......................................................................................... 99
— Anterior tibiae with fewer than 4 pairs of ventral spines ..
....................................................................................... 101
3.199 3.200 3.201

99(98) Precoxal triangles present (Fig. 3.199); trochanters with at

most shallow notches (Fig. 3.200) ......................................
CORINNIDAE, in part (CORINNINAE, PHRUROLITHINAE) p. 79
— Precoxal triangles absent; trochanters deeply notched (Fig.
3.201) ........................................................................... 100

3.202
100(99) Size greater than 5 mm; tarsi not pseudosegmented .........
.......................................... TENGELLIDAE, in part, p. 230
— Size less than 4 mm; tarsi pseudosegmented, posterior
3.207
bent (Fig. 3.202) ..................................................................
...................... LIOCRANIDAE, in part (Apostenus), p. 162

101(98) Abdomen of adults with scutum [covering entire abdo-

men of male (Figs. 3.203, 3.204) and only anterior portion
of female (Fig. 3.205)] ........................................................
................. CORINNIDAE, in part (CASTIANEIRINAE), p. 79
— Abdomen without scutum .......................................... 102

102(101) Endites concave ectally (Fig. 3.206); precoxal triangles 3.203 3.204 3.205
present (Fig. 3.207) ........................ CLUBIONIDAE, p. 77
— Endites straight or convex ectally (Fig. 3.208); precoxal
triangles absent (but present in Hesperocranum, which
has a distinctive dense brush of paired ventral bristles on
anterior tibiae and metatarsi, Fig. 3.209) ...........................
.......................................... LIOCRANIDAE, in part, p. 162

3.206 3.208

3.209