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Amblypygi

(c) Enzo Veloo, all rights reserved, uploaded by Enzo Veloo

EntityQ19111· pop 43· linked from 133 articles

Also known as tailless whip scorpions, whip spiders, tailless whip scorpion

Amblypygi is an order of arachnids also known as whip-spiders or tailless whip-scorpions, not to be confused with whip-scorpions or vinegaroons that belong to the related order Uropygi. The name "amblypygid" means "blunt tail", a reference to a lack of the flagellum that is otherwise seen in whip-scorpions. Amblypygids possess no silk glands or venom. They rarely bite if threatened but can grab fingers with their pedipalps, resulting in thorn-like puncture-injuries.

Species

Tanzanian Whipspider

ORDER

  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumArthropoda
  3. ClassArachnida
  4. OrderAmblypygi
Observations34
Observations recorded12,042

via GBIF

Wikidata facts

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Amblypigid.jpg
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Commons category
Amblypygi
taxon name
Amblypygi
taxon common name
amblypyger
Sources (3)

via Wikidata · CC0

~8 min read

Article

9 sections
Contents
  • Description
  • Body-plan
  • Pedipalps
  • Exoskeleton
  • Behavior
  • As pets
  • Genera
  • References
  • External links

Amblypygi is an order of arachnids also known as whip-spiders or tailless whip-scorpions, not to be confused with whip-scorpions or vinegaroons that belong to the related order Uropygi. The name "amblypygid" means "blunt tail", a reference to a lack of the flagellum that is otherwise seen in whip-scorpions. Amblypygids possess no silk glands or venom. They rarely bite if threatened but can grab fingers with their pedipalps, resulting in thorn-like puncture-injuries.

As of 2023, five families, 17 genera, and around 260 species had been discovered and described. They are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, mainly in warm and humid environments. They like to stay protected and hidden within leaf litter, caves, or underneath bark. Some species are subterranean; all are nocturnal. Fossilized amblypygids have been found dating back to the Carboniferous period, such as Weygoldtina.

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