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.
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.
Ochyroceratidae is a six-eyed spider family, with 165 described species in ten genera. They are common inhabitants of caves and the tropical forest litter of South Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and South America. Considered an ecological counterpart of the Linyphiidae of the northern temperate zone, species are especially diverse in the Indo-Pacific region.
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.
Midia is a monotypic genus of dwarf spiders containing the single species, Midia midas. It was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & J. Wunderlich in 1995.
Tenuiphantes is a genus of sheet weavers that was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & A. V. Tanasevitch in 1996.
Agyneta is a genus of dwarf spiders that was first described by J. E. Hull in 1911.
Megalepthyphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders that was first described by J. Wunderlich in 1994.
Sinanapis is a genus of Asian araneomorph spiders in the family Anapidae, first described by J. Wunderlich & D. X. Song in 1995.
Abiskoa is a monotypic genus of dwarf spiders containing the single species, Abiskoa abiskoensis. It was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & A. V. Tanasevitch in 2000, and has only been found in Europe, East Asia, and China.
Improphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders that was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & A. V. Tanasevitch in 1996.
Indophantes is a genus of Asian dwarf spiders that was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & A. V. Tanasevitch in 2003.
Mansuphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders that was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & A. V. Tanasevitch in 1996.
Microbathyphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders that was first described by P. J. van Helsdingen in 1985.
Mughiphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders that was first described by Michael I. Saaristo & A. V. Tanasevitch in 1999.
Nasoonaria is a genus of Asian dwarf spiders that was first described by J. Wunderlich & D. X. Song in 1995.
Oreoneta is a genus of dwarf spiders that was first described by C. Chyzer & Władysław Kulczyński in 1894.
Sinolinyphia is a monotypic genus of East Asian sheet weavers containing the single species, Sinolinyphia henanensis. It was first described by J. Wunderlich & S. Q. Li in 1995, and has only been found in China.
Theoa is a genus of sheet weavers that was first described by Michael I. Saaristo in 1995.
