Theridiidae, also known as the tangle-web spiders, cobweb spiders and comb-footed spiders, is a large family of araneomorph spiders first described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1833. This diverse, globally distributed family includes over 3,000 species in 124 genera, and is the most common arthropod found in human dwellings throughout the world.
Oonopidae, also known as goblin spiders, is a family of spiders consisting of over 1,600 described species in about 113 genera worldwide, with total species diversity estimated at 2000 to 2500 species. The type genus of the family is OonopsKeyserling, 1835.
Linyphiidae is a family of very small spiders comprising 4667 described species in 618 genera worldwide. This makes Linyphiidae the second largest family of spiders after the Salticidae. The family is poorly known; new genera and species are still being discovered throughout the world. The newest such genus is Yuelushannus from China, formally described in May 2020. Because of the difficulty in identifying such tiny spiders, there are regular changes in taxonomy as species are combined or divided.
Scaffold web spiders (Nesticidae) is a family of araneomorph spiders closely allied with tangle web spiders. Like the "Theridiidae", these spiders have a comb of serrated bristles on the hind tarsi that are used to pull silk bands from the spinnerets. It contains 16 genera and about 300 species, many of which are associated with caves or overhangs. The genus Nesticus is the type for the family and is found throughout the world. The related Eidmannella has speciated considerably in Texas caves and includes some extremely localized species that are considered threatened. One species, Eidmannella pallida, is found in caves and under overhangs, but also in agricultural fields and other habitats away from such restricted areas. The genus Carpathonesticus is found in central Eurasia.
Selimus is a monotypic genus of Brazilian jumping spiders containing the single species, Selimus venustus. It was first described by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1901, known from a single male found in Brazil. The species name is derived from Latin venustus "charming".
Argyrodes, also called dewdrop spiders, is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1864. They occur worldwide, and are best known for their kleptoparasitism. They can spin their own webs, but tend to invade and reside in their hosts' webs. This relationship can be commensal or even mutual if the dewdrop spider feeds on small trapped insects that are not eaten by the host. Some species can even prey upon the host.
Molestia is a monotypic genus of East Asian dwarf spiders containing the single species, Molestia molesta. It was first described by L. H. Tu, Michael I. Saaristo & S. Q. Li in 2006, and has only been found in China.
Andasta is a genus of ray spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1895.
Argyrodella is a monotypic genus of Seychelloise comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Argyrodella pusillus. It was first described by Michael I. Saaristo in 2006, and is found on the Seychelles.
Ascetophantes is a monotypic genus of Asian dwarf spiders containing the single species, Ascetophantes asceticus. It was first described by A. V. Tanasevitch & Michael I. Saaristo in 2006, and has only been found in Nepal.
Fistulaphantes is a monotypic genus of Asian dwarf spiders containing the single species, Fistulaphantes canalis. It was first described by A. V. Tanasevitch & Michael I. Saaristo in 2006, and has only been found in Nepal.
Indophantes is a genus of Asian dwarf spiders that was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & A. V. Tanasevitch in 2003.
Asygyna is a genus of Malagasy comb-footed spiders that was first described by I. Agnarsson in 2006. As of May 2020 it contains two species, found on Madagascar: A. coddingtoni and A. huberi.
Nanume is a monotypic genus of comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Nanume naneum. It was first described by Michael I. Saaristo in 2006, and is found on the Aldabra Atoll.
Rhomphaea is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1872.
Sesato is a monotypic genus of African comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Sesato setosa. It was first described by Michael I. Saaristo in 2006, and is found on the Seychelles.
Seycellesa is a genus of spiders in the family Theridiidae. It consists of only its type species: Seycellesa braueri, which is endangered and endemic to the Seychelles.
Spinembolia is a monotypic genus of African comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Spinembolia clabnum. It was first described by Michael I. Saaristo in 2006, and is found on the Seychelles.
Stoda is a monotypic genus of African comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Stoda libudum. It was first described by Michael I. Saaristo in 2006, and is found on the Seychelles.
Michael I. Saaristo was a Finnish arachnologist, with a particular interest in the spiders of the Seychelles. The World Spider Catalog lists 61 genus names or synonyms and 109 species names or synonyms of which he is the sole or co-author.
