arthropods of the class arachnida, order Araneae. Except for mites and ticks, spiders constitute the largest order of arachnids, with approximately 37,000 species having been described. The majority of spiders are harmless, although some species can be regarded as moderately harmful since their bites can lead to quite severe local symptoms. (From Barnes, Invertebrate zoology, 5th ed, p508; Smith, insects and Other arthropods of Medical Importance, 1973, pp424-430)