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The arachnids, are a class (Arachnida) of joint-legged invertebrate animals in the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnids are named after the mythological figure Arachne. They are chiefly terrestrial arthropods, comprising some 65,000 to 73,000 named species including spiders, scorpions, harvestmen, ticks, and mites.

Arachnids may be easily distinguished from insects by the fact that arachnids have eight legs whereas insects have six. The chelicerae serve to macerate food particles. The first post-oral pair of appendages —pedipalps (leg-like mouthparts) — of some species have been adapted for sensory, prey capture or reproductive functions. In Solifugae, the palpi are quite leg-like and make Solifugae appear to have ten legs. The larvae of mites have only six legs; the fourth pair appears when they moult into nymphs. Arachnids are further distinguished by the fact they have no antennae and no wings. They have a two-segmented body, made up of a cephalothorax and an abdomen, the cephalothorax being derived from the fusion of the cephalon (head) and the thorax.

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

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EurekAlert! - Biology

Feats of strength begin a lizard's day
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400
(University of California - Davis) Male Jamaican anole lizards begin and end the day with displays of reptilian strength -- push-ups, head bobs and extensions of a colorful neck flap, or dewlap -- to defend their territory, according to a new study.
Great Ape Trust graduate student's paper sheds light on bonobo language
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400
(Great Ape Trust of Iowa) What happens when linguistic tools used to analyze human language are applied to a conversation between a language-competent bonobo and a human? The findings, published this month in the Journal of Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, indicate that bonobos may exhibit larger linguistic competency in ordinary conversation than in controlled experimental settings.
'Armored' fish study helps strengthen Darwin's natural selection theory
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400
(University of British Columbia) Shedding some genetically induced excess baggage may have helped a tiny fish thrive in freshwater and outsize its marine ancestors, according to a UBC study published today in Science Express.

 
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Baboon spiders of South Africa - A short article of the online magazine Science in Africa that describes the South African baboon spiders (tarantulas) and gives a paragraph of more detailed information on the better known genera of these spiders. It includes some low-resolution pictures of baboon spiders, references and links.
Meta Description: [ Africa's first online science magazine ]

Checklists, images, identification guides, and maps of Arachnida - From the Discover Life website: images, checklists, identification keys and maps of Arachnida.

404 Collecting daddy-longlegs - A short page of the Discover Life in America website that lists instructions and recommendations on collecting Opiliones (Daddy-longlegs spiders). This page was written for Great Smoky Mountains National Park volunteer collectors.

The Hobo Spider - A fairly complete site about Tegenaria agrestis, the aggressive Hobo Spider, with information on the natural history of this spider, bite treatment, prevention and control and several photographs.

The Official Brown Recluse Spider website - A vast amount of information about the brown recluse spider and its bite: symptoms, treatment, pictures of bites and notes on behavior and habitat.
Meta Description: [ Brown recluse spider, bite, picture, photo, treatment, symptom, trap, spider bite while human sleeping ]

The Tarantula's Burrow - Searchable databases about tarantulas and scorpions. Images, FAQs, care sheets, related cartoons, games, articles related links, and additional information about other spiders, snakes, and snails.
Meta Description: [ Home of the Tarantula's Burrow and Alt.Pets.Arachnids, here you will find just about anything related to Spiders (Tarantulas, Scorpions etc.), Snakes and Snails. ]

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