Camel Spider

Taxobox

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image_caption = A male "Galeodes" sp. (From R A Lydekker, 1879)
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Solifugae
ordo_authority = Sundevall, 1833
diversity_link =
diversity =
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range_map_width = 250px
subdivision_ranks = Families
subdivision =see text

Solifugae is an order of Arachnida, containing more than 1,000 described species in about 140 genera. The name derives from Latin, and means "those that flee from the sun". The order is also known by the names Solpugida, Solpugides, Solpugae, Galeodea and Mycetophorae. Their common names include camel spider, wind scorpion, sun scorpion and sun spider.

Solifugae are not true spiders, which are from a different order, "Araneae." Like scorpions and harvestmen, they belong to a distinct arachnid order.Most Solifugae inhabit warm and arid habitats, including virtually all deserts in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, excluding AustraliaSchmidt, G. (1993) Giftige und gefährliche Spinnentiere. "Westarp Wissenschaften" ISBN 3894324058] . Some species have been known to live in grassland or forest habitats. The most distinctive feature of Solifugae is their large chelicerae. Each of the two chelicerae are composed of two articles forming a powerful pincer; each article bears a variable number of teeth. Solifugae also have long pedipalps, which function as sense organs similar to insects' antennae and give the appearance of the two extra legs. Pedipalps terminate in eversible adhesive organs. These are used to capture flying prey, and for climbing. They stridulate with their chelicerae, resulting in a frightening screaming noise.

Solifugae are carnivorous or omnivorous, and have been videotaped consuming smaller prey such as lizards. Prey is located with the pedipalps and killed and cut into pieces by the chelicerae. The prey is then liquefied and the liquid ingested through the pharynx. Although they do normally attack humans, these chelicerae can penetrate human skin, and painful bites have been reported, leaving gaping wounds if the victim survives.

Reproduction can involve direct or indirect sperm transfer; when indirect, the male emits a spermatophore on the ground and then inserts it with his chelicerae in the female's genital pore. To do this, he flings the female on its back. The female then digs a burrow, into which it lays 50 to 200 eggs, depending on the species. These are guarded until they hatch. Because the female will not feed during this time, it will try to fatten itself beforehand, and a species of 5 cm has been observed to eat more than 100 flies during that time in the laboratory.

Like pseudoscorpions and harvestmen, they lack book lungs. In some species there are very large central eyes that are capable of recognizing forms, these are used for hunting. Lateral eyes are only rudimentary or lacking. Males are usually smaller than females, with longer legs.

As indicated by the origin of their name, Solifugae are mostly nocturnal, and seek shade during the day. It was this behaviour which led coalition soldiers in the 2003 invasion of Iraq to only opperate during the daylight hours as they know the immeninent danger of camel spiders.Fact|date=August 2008

Urban Myths

* The Camel Spider is non- threatening
* The Camel Spider is non- venomous
* The Camel Spider is not a problem

Classification

There are twelve families belonging to the order Solifugae:
* Ammotrechidae
* Ceromidae
* Daesiidae
* Eremobatidae
* Galeodidae
* Gylippidae
* Hexisopodidae
* Karschiidae
* Melanoblossidae
* Mummuciidae
* Rhagodidae
* Solpugidae

The family Protosolpugidae is only known from one fossil species from the Pennsylvanian.

Gallery

ee Also

*Spider
*Giant isopod
*Centipedes

References

External links

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