Huh????

[melissab01]

This may sound like a dumb question to some, so excuse my ignorance. I have only recently started with the arachs. What actually constitutes a true spider?

 

[Spiderfoot]

True spiders are those whos chelicera move side to side where they can grab their prey where as mygalamorphs have to pounce on their prey. Their chelicera move up and down. Mygalamorphs are heavier body, like T's and trapdoor spiders.
That is the major difference.
Farris

 

[Jeri]

True spiders also only have one pair of booklungs, while T's have 2. And Treu spiders have more pairs of spinnerettes. 4 I believe as opposed to a T's 2.

Jeri

 

[Phrurolith_J]

True spiders have three pairs of spinnerets. Only some of them have one set of book lungs. Others have lost their book lungs entirely and have what is called a tracheal spiracle instead. Additionally, true spiders tend to be smaller and less hairy and have complex reproductive structures.

J.

 

[Wade]

I think that most arachnologists have dropped the term "true spider" as it is confusing and gives the false impression that mygalomorphs are not spiders. I understand that they now just use the names of their suborders, Orthognatha for T's, trapdoors, funnel-webs etc and Labidognatha for all the rest.

Wade