ULTRASTRUCTURE OF CRIBELLATE SILK OF 9 SPECIES IN 8 FAMILIES AND POSSIBLE TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS (ARANEAE, AMAUROBIIDAE, DEINOPIDAE, DESIDAE, DICTYNIDAE, FILISTATIDAE, HYPOCHILIDAE, STIPHIDIIDAE, TENGELLIDAE)

The ultrastructure of cribellum silk and associated fibers is describe d for nine species in eight families, and data from studies of 22 othe r species are summarized. Possible synapomorphies for filistatids (fla ttened cribellum fibers), for all cribellates other than hypochilids filistatids (nodules on cribellum fibers), for deinopids + uloborids + dictynids, and for uloborids + dictynids (loss of reserve warp fiber s) are described. Filistatid silk is distinctive and especially comple x, and the spatial arrangement of different components is described fo r the first time.