| THE OPILIONES |
Mites (Acarinae) are the second most diverse group of arachnids after the spiders, but adapted to
a far wider range of environments. Mites can be found from icy mountains to the depths of the
ocean, and especially in or on the bodies of other animals. More simplified than other arachnids, the
cephalothorax and abdomen are almost seamlessly fused into a single, continuous piece, and most
species are eyeless, though some may have anywhere from one (yes, a bona-fide cyclops) to five.
Some mites even have fewer than eight legs, especially in their early life cycle stages. The largest of
all mites are the bloodsucking parasites known as ticks.
As you can see, different arachnids use the same body parts in vastly different ways, and with the
most famous eight-leggers out of the way, it's time for the unsung weirdos!
a far wider range of environments. Mites can be found from icy mountains to the depths of the
ocean, and especially in or on the bodies of other animals. More simplified than other arachnids, the
cephalothorax and abdomen are almost seamlessly fused into a single, continuous piece, and most
species are eyeless, though some may have anywhere from one (yes, a bona-fide cyclops) to five.
Some mites even have fewer than eight legs, especially in their early life cycle stages. The largest of
all mites are the bloodsucking parasites known as ticks.
As you can see, different arachnids use the same body parts in vastly different ways, and with the
most famous eight-leggers out of the way, it's time for the unsung weirdos!
| Photo By Teejaybee |
In a scorpion, the chelicerae do not bear venomous fangs, but end in forcep-like structures and
function as chewing jaws. The pedipalps are greatly enlarged, and form the scorpion's famous
lobster-like claws, distinct from its eight legs. The frontmost pair of actual legs are fairly small, and
often hidden from view behind the huge pedipalp claws. The abdomen has no silk glands, but
extends into a flexible tail, tipped with a stinger that delivers paralyzing toxins to prey.
With a few exceptions, the claws of a scorpion can indicate the potency of its venom; a large
scorpion with thick, muscular claws tends to have a weaker sting, since its claws are enough to
subdue most prey. The deadliest scorpions, however, bear thin and fragile-looking claws, since their
sting is all the power they need.
function as chewing jaws. The pedipalps are greatly enlarged, and form the scorpion's famous
lobster-like claws, distinct from its eight legs. The frontmost pair of actual legs are fairly small, and
often hidden from view behind the huge pedipalp claws. The abdomen has no silk glands, but
extends into a flexible tail, tipped with a stinger that delivers paralyzing toxins to prey.
With a few exceptions, the claws of a scorpion can indicate the potency of its venom; a large
scorpion with thick, muscular claws tends to have a weaker sting, since its claws are enough to
subdue most prey. The deadliest scorpions, however, bear thin and fragile-looking claws, since their
sting is all the power they need.
| Photo by Furryscaly |
The spider's tiny mouth opening is hidden by a pair of large chelicerae, ending in sharp, venomous
fangs. To either side of the mouth are the pedipalps, leg-like structures used by the animal as
"hands" to manipulate food or even carry its eggs. In spiders, the fangs inject both venom and
digestive enzymes, liquefying the innards of insect prey.
fangs. To either side of the mouth are the pedipalps, leg-like structures used by the animal as
"hands" to manipulate food or even carry its eggs. In spiders, the fangs inject both venom and
digestive enzymes, liquefying the innards of insect prey.
| Photo by Myrmician |
This hunting spider makes a good basic template for arachnid anatomy. While an insect consists of
a head, a six legged thorax and an abdomen, a spider consists of only a fused cephalothorax and
abdomen, with the cephalothorax supporting eight legs and the abdomen housing both reproductive
organs and silk-producing spinnerets.
a head, a six legged thorax and an abdomen, a spider consists of only a fused cephalothorax and
abdomen, with the cephalothorax supporting eight legs and the abdomen housing both reproductive
organs and silk-producing spinnerets.
| Bogleech.com Presents The Other Arachnids |
A popular bit of "trivia" goes that the harvestman or "Daddy Long-legs" is the deadliest spider in the
world, but lacks the strength to bite through human flesh. Lolth knows how this nonsense got started,
since these little guys are neither spiders nor are they venomous to any extent. Changing very little
since ancient times, these very basal arachnids also differ from spiders with a complete lack of silk
glands, jaws capable of chewing solid foods and a cephalothorax that runs seamlessly into the
abdomen, resembling the fused body of a mite. Many species prefer scavenging to hunting, and
many are even omnivorous.
world, but lacks the strength to bite through human flesh. Lolth knows how this nonsense got started,
since these little guys are neither spiders nor are they venomous to any extent. Changing very little
since ancient times, these very basal arachnids also differ from spiders with a complete lack of silk
glands, jaws capable of chewing solid foods and a cephalothorax that runs seamlessly into the
abdomen, resembling the fused body of a mite. Many species prefer scavenging to hunting, and
many are even omnivorous.
| THE SOLIFUGAE |
Also known as sun spiders, wind scorpions and more recently "camel spiders," these unfortunate
creatures suffer more misconceptions than any other arachnid. American troops stationed in Iraq
have concocted a long list of "camel spider" horror tales to scare new recruits, including claims that
the creatures can leap several feet, chew the skin off a sleeper without waking them, breed
parasitically in the stomachs of camels and scream like banshees.
creatures suffer more misconceptions than any other arachnid. American troops stationed in Iraq
have concocted a long list of "camel spider" horror tales to scare new recruits, including claims that
the creatures can leap several feet, chew the skin off a sleeper without waking them, breed
parasitically in the stomachs of camels and scream like banshees.
| THE AMBLYPYGI |
Sometimes called "whip spiders" or "tailless whip scorpions," these flat, crablike creatures are
named for their incredibly long, thin front legs, lined with sensory organs and used like an
insect's antennae. They typically walk sideways, holding out one "feeler" to search for prey and using
the other to sweep the surrounding terrain. Their spiny pedipalps work like the claws of a mantis to
lash out and ensnare prey. They are well adapted to hunt under loose tree bark, between rocks or
other tight crevasses, and many species are cave-dwellers.
named for their incredibly long, thin front legs, lined with sensory organs and used like an
insect's antennae. They typically walk sideways, holding out one "feeler" to search for prey and using
the other to sweep the surrounding terrain. Their spiny pedipalps work like the claws of a mantis to
lash out and ensnare prey. They are well adapted to hunt under loose tree bark, between rocks or
other tight crevasses, and many species are cave-dwellers.
| THE UROPYGIDS |
| THE PSEUDOSCORPIONS |
| THE SCHIZOMIDA |
| THE RICINULEI |
Also known as "hooded tickspiders," these highly obscure creatures are named for the large,
hinged plate that covers the mouth and chelicerae when they are not in use, also used by the
females to carry and protect a single egg at a time. Though they strongly resemble spiders, they
have no silk or venom glands and may be closer in relation to mites.
With these little oddballs, we've covered every significant arachnid group currently recognized by
science, but that doesn't mean we're finished!
hinged plate that covers the mouth and chelicerae when they are not in use, also used by the
females to carry and protect a single egg at a time. Though they strongly resemble spiders, they
have no silk or venom glands and may be closer in relation to mites.
With these little oddballs, we've covered every significant arachnid group currently recognized by
science, but that doesn't mean we're finished!
| - THE ALMOST ARACHNIDS - |
| Written by Jonathan Wojcik |
Anybody with a third-grade education probably knows that spiders are Arachnids rather than
insects, and reasonable numbers may have also heard that this class extends to the scorpions and
the mites, but this is where, outside arthropod enthusiasts, the average individual's Arachnid
awareness abruptly expires. Many have never imagined the diversity of eight-legged, armor-plated
predators who clamber and scuttle within the Earth's darkened crevasses, creatures who may have
been outnumbered by the insects millions of years ago, but have feasted off their juicy innards ever
since. First, let's have a quick refresher on what defines an arachnid:
insects, and reasonable numbers may have also heard that this class extends to the scorpions and
the mites, but this is where, outside arthropod enthusiasts, the average individual's Arachnid
awareness abruptly expires. Many have never imagined the diversity of eight-legged, armor-plated
predators who clamber and scuttle within the Earth's darkened crevasses, creatures who may have
been outnumbered by the insects millions of years ago, but have feasted off their juicy innards ever
since. First, let's have a quick refresher on what defines an arachnid:
| THE PALPIGRADI |
Known as "microwhip scorpions," these eyeless relatives of the Uropygids are poorly researched,
with only around eighty described species and little known about their dietary or reproductive habits.
Averaging only a millimetre in length, they can be found in damp sand or soil, including some
tropical beaches.
with only around eighty described species and little known about their dietary or reproductive habits.
Averaging only a millimetre in length, they can be found in damp sand or soil, including some
tropical beaches.
| THE XIPHOSURA |
Once grouped with the Eurypterids under the obsolete "Merostomata," the only Xiphosura alive to
this day are the four known species of "Horseshoe crab," completely unrelated to the true crabs and
other Crustacea. These strange, helmet-shaped animals live in the mud or sand of shallow saltwater
environments, feeding on detritus or even tiny organisms. Endangered by shrinking habitats and
overharvesting, extracts from their blood can actually be used to detect the presence of bacterial
toxins, as you can read more about here.
this day are the four known species of "Horseshoe crab," completely unrelated to the true crabs and
other Crustacea. These strange, helmet-shaped animals live in the mud or sand of shallow saltwater
environments, feeding on detritus or even tiny organisms. Endangered by shrinking habitats and
overharvesting, extracts from their blood can actually be used to detect the presence of bacterial
toxins, as you can read more about here.
Harvestmen protect themselves in a number of unusual ways. Most notoriously, they can shed their
long legs to escape the grasp of a predator, the severed appendage still twitching and flailing as an
effective if disturbing distraction. Various species may also spray defensive chemicals, play dead,
coat their bodies in camouflaging debris or even confuse predators with a sort of optical illusion; by
bouncing its small body up and down at high speed, a harvestman becomes a blur that
simple-minded enemies find difficult to see or perhaps even frightening.
long legs to escape the grasp of a predator, the severed appendage still twitching and flailing as an
effective if disturbing distraction. Various species may also spray defensive chemicals, play dead,
coat their bodies in camouflaging debris or even confuse predators with a sort of optical illusion; by
bouncing its small body up and down at high speed, a harvestman becomes a blur that
simple-minded enemies find difficult to see or perhaps even frightening.
Common around the world but seldom noticed, these extremely tiny creatures resemble fat, tailless
scorpions, but the similarities end there. Closer in relation to spiders, they can even produce silk
from their jaws to spin protective cocoons around themselves or their eggs. Unusually among the
arachnids, the clawed pedipalps contain venom glands, and a corrosive enzyme is regurgitated
over prey during feeding. Many species engage in an elaborate "mating dance," with the male using
his claws to guide the female over a sperm packet.
scorpions, but the similarities end there. Closer in relation to spiders, they can even produce silk
from their jaws to spin protective cocoons around themselves or their eggs. Unusually among the
arachnids, the clawed pedipalps contain venom glands, and a corrosive enzyme is regurgitated
over prey during feeding. Many species engage in an elaborate "mating dance," with the male using
his claws to guide the female over a sperm packet.
While Solifugids can move at blinding speeds and deliver a powerful bite when handled, these
skittish and nonvenomous creatures stick to prey roughly their own size - literally, since their huge
pedipalps, resembling a fifth pair of legs, are tipped with highly adhesive pads for grabbing food on
the run. The immense chelicerae, packed with muscle, resemble a dual pair of beaks and can
deliver what is pound for pound one of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom. These wicked
gnashers operate in rapid, alternating chomps to pulverize prey like an organic meat grinder, easily
grinding up the delicate bones of tiny vertebrates such as mice and lizards.
skittish and nonvenomous creatures stick to prey roughly their own size - literally, since their huge
pedipalps, resembling a fifth pair of legs, are tipped with highly adhesive pads for grabbing food on
the run. The immense chelicerae, packed with muscle, resemble a dual pair of beaks and can
deliver what is pound for pound one of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom. These wicked
gnashers operate in rapid, alternating chomps to pulverize prey like an organic meat grinder, easily
grinding up the delicate bones of tiny vertebrates such as mice and lizards.
| Source Unknown. Email me if this is your photo! |
Also called a "whip scorpion" but only distantly related to the Amblypigids, these creatures similarly
wield antennae-like forelegs but also possess a third sensory whip on the tip of the abdomen.
Though nonvenomous, they can spray a noxious acid from their abdomen that often smells like
vinegar, giving them the common name "vinegaroon." Their pedipalps are fat and clublike, ending in
blunt pincers ideal for tearing apart food or moving heavy debris while they dig their burrows.
wield antennae-like forelegs but also possess a third sensory whip on the tip of the abdomen.
Though nonvenomous, they can spray a noxious acid from their abdomen that often smells like
vinegar, giving them the common name "vinegaroon." Their pedipalps are fat and clublike, ending in
blunt pincers ideal for tearing apart food or moving heavy debris while they dig their burrows.
Pseudoscorpions travel over great distance through phoresy, the practice of hitching a ride on a
larger creature. Clinging by a single pincer, they typically latch on to flying insects and drop back off
with the next landing. Some species can be found in homes, where they prey on dust mites,
silverfish and other pests. Some species are even directly symbiotic with other animals, feeding on
parasites in the fur of packrats or under the wing cases of beetles.
larger creature. Clinging by a single pincer, they typically latch on to flying insects and drop back off
with the next landing. Some species can be found in homes, where they prey on dust mites,
silverfish and other pests. Some species are even directly symbiotic with other animals, feeding on
parasites in the fur of packrats or under the wing cases of beetles.
The "short-tailed whipscorpions" are another group of tiny soil-dwellers, with elongated sensory
forelegs and pincer-like pedipalps. With over 230 described speices, they're a little more diverse
than the palpigradi, but share a similar preference for moisture and darkness. Some species are
even found living in the nests of ants or termites, but their relationship with these insects is not
entirely known.
forelegs and pincer-like pedipalps. With over 230 described speices, they're a little more diverse
than the palpigradi, but share a similar preference for moisture and darkness. Some species are
even found living in the nests of ants or termites, but their relationship with these insects is not
entirely known.
The animal phylum Arthropoda splits into five subphyla: the Crustacea (crabs, lobsters, barnacles,
shrimp) the Hexapoda (insects and other six-legged arthropods) the Myriapoda (centipedes and
millipedes) the extinct Trilobita (take a guess) and the Chelicerata. It is the Chelicerata which
contains the class Arachnida, but also includes three other groups - not truly Arachnids themselves,
but very closely related.
shrimp) the Hexapoda (insects and other six-legged arthropods) the Myriapoda (centipedes and
millipedes) the extinct Trilobita (take a guess) and the Chelicerata. It is the Chelicerata which
contains the class Arachnida, but also includes three other groups - not truly Arachnids themselves,
but very closely related.
| THE EURYPTERIDS (EXTINCT) |
From the Ordovician (460 million years ago) to the Permian (248 million)
the Eurypterids or "sea scorpions" were among the largest, fiercest
predators in the water, beginning in the seas and spreading to brackish
and freshwater environments around the world until their gradual
extinction. The largest known species was Jaekelopterus rhenaniae (left)
at over eight feet in length and a contender for the largest arthropod to
have ever lived, rivaled only by the millipede-like Arthropleura.
Today, we know not a single living example of these long-successful and
magnificent monsters, but another group of marine Chelicerate clings to
existence with just four modern species...
the Eurypterids or "sea scorpions" were among the largest, fiercest
predators in the water, beginning in the seas and spreading to brackish
and freshwater environments around the world until their gradual
extinction. The largest known species was Jaekelopterus rhenaniae (left)
at over eight feet in length and a contender for the largest arthropod to
have ever lived, rivaled only by the millipede-like Arthropleura.
Today, we know not a single living example of these long-successful and
magnificent monsters, but another group of marine Chelicerate clings to
existence with just four modern species...
| Diorama at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, photographed by De Shark |
| THE PYCNOGONIDS |
The poorly studied "sea spiders" have bodies so thin that many species keep their major organs in
their legs, including their intestines and reproductive systems. Ranging from warm coral reefs to the
deep sea abyss, sea spiders feed on liquids sucked through a hollow proboscis, usually
specializing in soft bodied prey such as sea cucumbers and anemones. Since many species feed
without killing their prey, they can be considered parasitic, like a mosquito or vampire bat. Whether
or not these guys really belong in the Chelicerata is up for debate, but since they have eight legs and
are often confused for arachnids, I figure it will always be appropriate to explain them here.
their legs, including their intestines and reproductive systems. Ranging from warm coral reefs to the
deep sea abyss, sea spiders feed on liquids sucked through a hollow proboscis, usually
specializing in soft bodied prey such as sea cucumbers and anemones. Since many species feed
without killing their prey, they can be considered parasitic, like a mosquito or vampire bat. Whether
or not these guys really belong in the Chelicerata is up for debate, but since they have eight legs and
are often confused for arachnids, I figure it will always be appropriate to explain them here.
