Everything about Schizomida totally explained
Schizomida is an
order of
arachnids, superficially resembling spiders and generally less than 5mm in length.
The order isn't yet widely studied. As of
2005, more than 230 species of schizomids have been described worldwide, most belonging to the
Hubbardiidae family. A
systematic review including a full catalogue may be found in Reddell & Cokendolpher (1995).
Anatomy
In schizomids, the
prosoma (cephalothorax) is covered by a large
protopeltidium and smaller, paired,
mesopeltidia and
metapeltidia. The name means "split or cleaved middle", referring to the way the thorax is divided into two separate plates. There are no eyes.
The
opisthosoma (abdomen) is a smooth oval of 12 recognizable somites. The first is reduced and forms the
pedicel. The last three are much constricted, forming the
pygidium. The last somite bears the whip-like tail or
flagellum, which in this order is short and consists of not more than four segments.
Like the related orders
Uropygi,
Amblypygi, and
Solifugae, the schizomids use only six legs for walking, having modified their first two legs to serve as sensory organs. They also have large well-developed
pedipalps (pincers) just behind the sensory legs.
Habitat
Schizomids are generally tropical creatures, although some populations have been found in
California and
Arizona. They tend to live in the top layer of soil and in the cavities beneath logs and rocks, where they can avoid
desiccation. They seek water and avoid light. Some species are
troglobites (cave-dwellers), and a few live in or near
termite or
ant colonies.
Subtaxa
Schizomids are grouped into three
families:
Further Information
Get more info on 'Schizomida'.
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