Arachnid

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Acarina

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Amblypygi

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Araneae

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Opiliones

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Palpigradi

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Pseudoscorpionida

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Ricinulei

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Schizomida

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Scorpiones

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Solifugae

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Uropygi

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The arachnids, Arachnida, are a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals in the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnids are named for the mythological figure Arachne.

Related Topics:
Invertebrate - Animal - Chelicerata - Mythological - Arachne

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They are chiefly terrestrial arthropods, some 65,000 to 73,000 species including the spiders, scorpions, harvestmen, ticks, and mites. The arachnids are easily distinguished from the insects by the fact that they have eight legs instead of six. The pedipalpi (leg-like mouthparts) of some species has instead been adapted for sensory, prey capture or reproductive functions. In solpugids the palpi are quite leg-like and make solpugids appear to have ten legs. Larval mites have only six legs: they grow their fourth pair when they molt into nymphs.

Related Topics:
Arthropod - Spider - Scorpion - Harvestmen - Tick - Mite - Insect - Pedipalpi - Solpugid - Nymph

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Arachnids are further distinguished by the fact they have no antennae and no wings. They have a two-segment body, made up merely of the thorax and abdomen.

Related Topics:
Antennae - Thorax - Abdomen

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Arachnids are mostly carnivorous, feeding on the pre-digested body of insects and other small animals. Many are venomous - they secrete poison from specialized glands to kill prey or enemies.

Related Topics:
Carnivorous - Venom - Poison

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Others are parasites, some of which are carriers of disease. Arachnids usually lay eggs, which hatch into immature adults.

Related Topics:
Parasite - Disease

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