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ArachnidaSpiders; Ticks; Mites; Chiggers; Scorpions; Whipscorpions; Pseudoscorpions; Daddy longlegs; Harvestmen; Arachnidae |
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![]() © John Pickering, 2006-2009 Arachnida |
![]() © John Pickering, 2006-2009 Arachnida |
![]() © John Pickering, 2006-2009 death valley spider on flower |
![]() © Copyright Gary Alpert, 2005-2008 Dermacentor variabilis, female, top |
![]() © Copyright GNU Free Documentation License Harvestman, probably Phalangium opilio |
![]() © John Pickering, 2006-2009 Nephila clavipes, Golden Silk Orbweaver, female |
© Copyright Dan L. Perlman, 2005-2007 Pseudoscorpions on fly legs EL_DP169 |
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| Hundreds of thousands of species of arachnids have been identified. Mites contribute several hundreds of thousands of species by themselves. Arachnids make their home most land habitats and some water habitats. Arachnids require liquid nourishment and obtain this by injecting digestive juices into their prey and suck out the useful portion. All arachnids, except mites, are predators on insects and other invertebrates. Mites, however, feed on several other sources of nourishment (i.e. fungus, plants, dead animals, etc.). Arachnids have eight legs and bodies that are divided into two sections (the cephalothorax and the abdomen). Arachnids do not have wings; however, some spiders float on the wind using long strands of silk. Many arachnids use silk, usually to catch prey or for reproduction processes. | ||||
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| Acknowledgements | ||||
| Discover Life thanks John Pickering and Justin Long, University of Georgia, Athens for their assistance with the development of this page. |
| Following modified from University of Michigan Museum of Zoology |
Home
Class Arachnida
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By Phil Myers
This large Class of arthropods includes over 60,000 described species (and most likely a very large number of so-far undescribed ones). Spiders make up the majority of these (over 50,000 described species); with mites and ticks next largest (around 48,200 species). The Arachnida also includes a diverse array of smaller groups, including scorpions (1200 species), whip scorpions (100 species), palpigrades (60 species), pseudoscorpions (2000 species), solpugids (900 species), and harvestmen (5000 species). Nearly all species are terrestrial.
Arachnids have a pair of tagmata called a prosoma and opisthosoma. The prosoma is partially or completely covered with a carapace-like shield. The opisthosoma may be segmented or unsegmented. The appendages on the opithosoma are absent or modified, being used as spinnerets (spiders) or pectines (probably sensory in function, found in scorpions). Respiration is via tracheae or book lungs; it is cutaneous in many small arachnids.
Sources:
Find Arachnida " information at
Phil Myers (author), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.
To cite this page: Myers, P. 2001. "Arachnida" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 20, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Arachnida.html.
Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.
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