Mygalomorphae

The Mygalomorphae, previously calledOrthognatha, aresuborderspiders. The latter name comes fromorientation offangs which point straight downdo not cross each other. This suborder includesheavy bodied, stout legged spiders popularly known as tarantulas. They have ample poison glands that lie entirely within their chelicerae. Their cheliceraefangslargepowerful. Occasionally membersthis suborder will even kill small fish, small mammals, etc. Most membersthis suborder occur intropicssubtropics, but their range can extend farther north, e.g. intosouthernwestern regions ofUnited States.

These spiders should be distinguished from their namesake,Italian tarantula (Lycosa tarantula), whichone ofWolf spiders.