Lost Tracheae Clade (Superfamily Pholcoidea)

Superfamily Pholcoidea is a taxonomic grouping of spiders within the infraorder Haplogynae and the zoosection Synspermiata, best known for including the family Pholcidae, commonly called cellar spiders or daddy-long-legs spiders. Members are generally characterized by small bodies, often very long and slender legs, and delicate webs that are commonly irregular or tangled in shape. They occur worldwide in habitats ranging from tropical forests and caves to rock crevices, buildings, and other sheltered places. Most species are web-dwelling predators that capture insects and other small arthropods, sometimes including other spiders. When disturbed, some vibrate rapidly in their webs, a behavior that may help deter predators. Their feeding activity makes them useful predators in natural and human environments. Classification of Pholcoidea can vary among taxonomic systems, so its exact family composition should be checked against the classification being followed.