Arachnids
Arachnids (əˈraknɪd)
Arachnids are a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals, in the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnids include spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites. They are characterized by the possession of eight legs, although some species may appear to have fewer due to specialized morphological adaptations.
Etymology
The term "Arachnid" comes from the Greek ἀράχνη (aráchnē), meaning "spider".
Characteristics
Arachnids are mostly carnivorous, feeding on the pre-digested bodies of insects and other small animals. Many are venomous - they secrete poison from specialized glands to kill prey or enemies. Others are parasites, feeding on the blood or tissue fluid of their hosts.
Classification
Arachnids are classified into eleven orders: Araneae (spiders), Scorpiones (scorpions), Opiliones (harvestmen), Acari (ticks and mites), Amblypygi (whip spiders), Palpigradi (microwhip scorpions), Pseudoscorpiones (pseudoscorpions), Schizomida (shorttailed whipscorpions), Solifugae (camel spiders), Thelyphonida (vinegaroons), and Ricinulei (hooded tickspiders).
Related Terms
- Chelicerata: The subphylum to which Arachnids belong.
- Araneae: The order of spiders.
- Scorpiones: The order of scorpions.
- Opiliones: The order of harvestmen.
- Acari: The order of ticks and mites.
- Amblypygi: The order of whip spiders.
- Palpigradi: The order of microwhip scorpions.
- Pseudoscorpiones: The order of pseudoscorpions.
- Schizomida: The order of shorttailed whipscorpions.
- Solifugae: The order of camel spiders.
- Thelyphonida: The order of vinegaroons.
- Ricinulei: The order of hooded tickspiders.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Arachnids
- Wikipedia's article - Arachnids
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