1. Actual Spiders: This is the most straightforward meaning, referring to animals in the order Araneae. They have eight legs, two body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen), and typically produce silk.
2. Arachnids: This is a broader category that includes spiders, but also scorpions, ticks, mites, and harvestmen. All arachnids share some common characteristics like eight legs and two body segments.
3. Other Arthropods: While not strictly arachnids, some other arthropods can be considered "spiderlike" due to their appearance. Examples include:
* Opiliones (Harvestmen): These long-legged creatures are often mistaken for spiders but lack silk glands and have a single body segment.
* Solifugae (Sun Spiders): These are large, fast-moving arachnids that look somewhat spider-like but have prominent chelicerae (jaw-like appendages).
* Amblypygi (Whip Spiders): These nocturnal arachnids have long, whip-like appendages and a flattened body.
4. Non-Arthropods: Some animals, even though not closely related to spiders, might be considered "spiderlike" because of certain physical features:
* Some Insects: Certain insects, like some types of beetles, might have a body shape or leg structure that resembles a spider.
* Sea Spiders (Pycnogonida): These marine arthropods have long legs and a small body, giving them a spider-like appearance.
To answer your question more accurately, you need to be more specific about what kind of "spiderlike" animal you're interested in.
For example, if you're looking for an animal that spins webs, you're likely looking for a spider. If you're looking for an animal with long legs, it could be a harvestman or a sea spider.