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Tailess Whip Spider (Amblypygi)
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Description: Amblypygi is an order of invertebrate animals belonging to the class Arachnida, in the subphylum Chelicerata of the phylum Arthropoda. They form a separate order of arachnids alongside the spiders, scorpions & others. Amblypygids are also known as tailess whip spiders. The name amblypygid means blunt rump, a reference to a lack of the telson (tail) carried by related species. Despite an offputting appearance, they are totally harmless to humans. They are found in tropical & subtropical regions worldwide. During the day, they may hide under logs, bark, stones, or leaves. They prefer a humid environment. Amblypygids may range from 4 to 45 millimetres (0.16 to 1.8 in). Their bodies are broad & highly flattened, with a solid carapace & a segmented abdomen. They have a pair of median eyes at the front of the carapace, & 3 smaller eyes placed further back on each side. The pedipalps are large & pincer-like, being adapted for grabbing prey. The first pair of legs are modified to act as sensory organs, while the animal uses the other 6 legs for walking. The sensory legs are very thin, have numerous sensory receptors, & can extend several times the length of body. Typically, the animal holds one of these legs out in front of it as it moves, & uses the other to probe the terrain to the side. Amblypygids have no silk glands or venomous fangs. Amblypygids often move about sideways on their 6 walking legs, with one whip pointed in the direction of travel while the other probes on either side of them. Prey are located with these whips, captured with pedipalps, then masticated with chelicerae. Female Amblypygids lay fertilized eggs into a sac carried under the abdomen. Mother amblypygids communicate with their young by caressing the offspring with their anteniform front legs. When the young hatch, they climb up onto the mother's back. Sadly, any of the young that fall off before their first moult will be eaten by the mother.
Uploaded By: femcat38
Date: 10/16/2011
Views: 566
File Size: 108 KB
