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Aglais milberti
Scutigera coleoptrata
Nephila senegalensis
Petrochirus diogenes
Phylum Arthropoda (von Siebold, 1845)
Subphylum Hexapoda
Symphypleona
Collembola
Collembola
Order Poduromorpha
Are elongate, with separated abdominal
segments, however, they have a well
developed prothorax.
Family:
Podura
Podura aquatica Onychiuridae
Hypogastruridae (non-monophyletic)
Brachystomellidae
Odontellidae
Neanuridae
Anurida granaria
Order Symphypleona
Are globular, with fused abdominal
segments, however, they have eyes and
antennae longer than their head.
Family:
Katiannidae
Dicyrtoma fusca Spinothecidae
Bourletiellidae
Mackenziella psocoides
Dicyrtomidae
Sminthuridae
Sminthurididae
Sturmius
Arrhopalitidae
Sminthurides aquaticus
Order Neelipleona
dorsal
lateral
Megalothorax minimus
Family
Entomobryidae
Are elongate, with separated abdominal
Isotomidae
segments and a reduced prothorax.
Oncopoduridae
Tomoceridae
Order Protura
Derived characteristics: Other characteristics:
eyeless
antennae absent •very small, less than 2 mm
tentorium absent long
fore legs enlarged, with
•abdomen with 12
many sensilla; front legs segments as adult
serve role of antennae •Mouth parts entognathous
•cerci absent
•legs 5-segmented
•anamorphic development
(segments added at moults)
vs. epimorphic in all other
hexapods
Order Protura
Sinentomata
Acerentomata
Eosentomata
Protura
Order Diplura
Other characteristics:
mostly white
two prominent cerci, either long and filiform or
short and forcep-like
long, slender antennae
Order Diplura
Family:
•Campodeidae
•Procampodeidae
•Projapygidae
•Anajapygidae
•Japygidae
•Heterojapygidae
•Dinjapygidae
•Evalljapygidae
•Parajapygidae
•Onychojapyx schmidti
Japygidae Campodeid (Diplura)
•Plioprojapyx primitivus
Class Insecta
Insects have a large number of unique, derived characteristics,
although none of these are externally obvious in most species.
These include (Kristensen, 1991):
lack of musculature beyond the first segment of antenna.
Johnston's organ in pedicel (second segment) of antenna. This
organ is a collection of sensory cells that detect movement of the
flagellum.
a transverse bar forming the posterior tentorium inside the head
tarsi subsegmented
females with ovipositor formed by gonapophyses from segments 8
and 9
annulated, terminal filament extending out from end of segment 11
of abdomen (subsequently lost in most groups of insects)
Class Insecta
Class Insecta
Lestidae
Thermobia domestica
Subclass Pterygota
Libellula saturata
Breyeria borinensis
Handlirsch, A. 1904
Order Ephemeroptera
Derived characteristics: Fore legs of male
elongated, used to grasp female in flight.
mouthparts of adults reduced,
unsclerotised. hind wings reduced, smaller
than fore wings. In addition, mayflies moult
after they have fully-formed, functional
wings. Presence of a winged, pre-adult
stage ("subimago") is unique among
insects.
Hexagenia sp.
Ephemeroptera
Order Odonata (Fabricius,1793)
These insects characteristically have large
rounded heads covered mostly by well-
developed, compound eyes, legs that
facilitate catching prey (other insects) in
flight, two pairs of long, transparent wings
that move independently, and elongated
abdomens. They have two ocelli and short
antennae. The mouthparts are on the
Argia
underside of the head and include simple
chewing mandibles in the adult
Sympetrum sanguineum
Suborder Anisoptera
Family Aeshnidae Family Cordulegastridae
Family Gomphidae
Cordulegaster bilineata
Anax junius
Dromogomphus spinosus
Suborder Zygoptera
Family Calopterygidae Family Coenagrionidae
Family Lestidae
Lestes rectangularis
Argia fumipennis
Calopteryx maculata
Infraorder Neoptera
Neopterous insects primitively have the
ability to fold the wings back over their
abdomen, using special structures at the
base of their wings. Key to the folding
mechanism is the third axillary sclerite and
pleural wing-folding muscle.
This ability to fold the wings back over the
abdomen has been lost in some small
groups within Neoptera, including various
butterflies and moths.
Pyrrhocoris apterus
Dactylotum variegatum
Halictidae
Infraorder Neoptera
Order Plecoptera
Stoneflies are easily recognized by a The immatures are variously called
few simple characters. They have three larvae, or nymphs or naiads, but are
segmented tarsi but their hind legs are most frequently referred to as
not modified for jumping to the extent of nymphs. All nymphs are aquatic,
Orthoptera such as crickets and and resemble the adults in many
grasshoppers. They have long filiform respects. They also have three-
antennae at least half length of the segmented tarsi. The nymphs
body. The cerci are generally long as always have long cerci and never a
well, especially in the aquatic nymphs. third central tail or median caudal
The wings are almost always present filament. Gills, if they have them,
but are sometimes very short. They are can occur on various parts of the
folded horizontally back over the body. thorax and abdomen and are
These characters help distinguish them composed only of filaments, not
from Dermaptera and Embioptera plates.
which they superfically resemble and to
which they are probably closely related.
Order Plecoptera
Orthoptera
Suborder Ensifera
The antennae are fine and threadlike (well over 30 segments) except in the
completely fossorial Cooloolidae. In the singing families there are stridulatory
specializations of the forewings which include a toothed vein (file) and scraper,
and membranous areas that resonate or amplify sounds. In these groups ears
consist of foretibial tympanae linked via modified tracheae to the enlarged
mesothoracic spiracles that are modified for an auditory function. The tarsi have
three to four segments. The six-valved ovipositor (when present) is sword-like
('ensiform', thus the subordinal name) or needle-like (Chopard 1920; Kevan
1982; Rentz 1991, 1996). Ensiferan mandibles are elongate and possess a
prominent incisor. The gut's proventriculus consists of a globular body lying
between two bulbous gastric caeca. Internally there are six longitudinal folds that
bear appendages (Judd 1947; Rentz 1980). The spermatophore in virtually all
species is attached externally to the female's gonopore; it has a double (or
partially divided) sperm reservoir in most Tettigonioidea (some
Rhaphidophoridae and Deinacrida species (Stenopelmatidae) are exceptions)
and a single one in true crickets and their allies. In many taxa (most tettigonioids
and some true crickets) a spermatophylax (meal for the female) surrounds the
spermatophore (Boldyrev 1915; Gwynne 1995).
Suborder Ensifera
Metholche nigritarsus
(Conocephalinae)
Phasmodes ranatriformis
(Phasmodinae)
Suborder Caelifera
Among other synapomorphies the
Caelifera is distinguished from the Ensifera
by the structure of the ovipositor, in which
the original 6 valves are reduced to 4
functional ones with transverse
musculature, by antennae composed of
less than 30 segments, and by the
absence of auditory organs on the
prothorax - if a tympanum or other hearing
organ is present, it is abdominal. The
sperm are thin and elongate, with an
acrosome inserted on the nucleus by
means of two lateral processes.
Suborder Caelifera
Tetrigoidea
Superfamily Acridoidea
Family:
Acrididae
Pamphagidae
Lathiceridae
Charilaidae (= Pamphagodidae)
Romaleidae
Ommexechidae
Tristiridae
Lentulidae
Brachystola magna Pyrgacrididae
Acrida ungarica
Subphylum Crustacea (Brünnich, 1772)
Daphnia pulex
Lepas anatifera
Grapsus grapsus
Subphylum Crustacea (Brünnich, 1772)
Class Branchiopoda
Class Branchiopoda
Branchiopods have reduced first antennae
and second maxillae. Their legs are
flattened and leaflike (phyllopodia) and
are the chief respiratory organs (hence the
name branchiopods). Most branchiopods
also use their legs for suspension feeding,
and in groups other than the cladocerans,
they use their legs for locomotion as well.
Lepidurus packardi
Order Anostraca
Ceriodaphnia megalops
Ceratia sp.
Class Remipedia
Class Remipedia
Any Family:
•Archidactylinidae
•Artotrogidae
•Asterocheridae
•Brychiopontiidae
•Caligidae
•Calverocheridae
•Cancerillidae
•Cecropidae
•Codobidae
•Coralliomyzontidae
•Dichelinidae
•Dichelesthiidae
•Dinopontiidae
•Dirivultidae
•Dissonidae
Cryptopontius thorelli
•Ecbathyriontidae
Class Tantulocarida
Tantulocarida is the most recently described
class (here considered a subclass) of
crustaceans (1983). Only about 12 species
are known so far. They are tiny (0.15 to 0.2
mm) copepod-like ectoparasites of other
deep-sea benthic crustaceans. They have no
recognizable head appendages except one
pair of antennae on sexual females. The life
cycle is not known with certainty, but present
evidence suggests that there is a
parthenogenetic cycle and a bisexual cycle
with fertilization. Tantulus larvae penetrate
A tantulocarid. This curious little
the cuticle of their hosts by a mouth tube.
parasite is shown attached to the first
Then their abdomen and all thoracic limbs antenna of its copepod host at left;
are lost during metamorphosis to the adult. class Tantulocarida,
Alone among maxillopodans, juveniles bear
six to seven abdominal somites, but other
evidence supports inclusion in this class.
Class Branchiura
Branchiurans are a small group of primarily
fish parasites, which, despite their name,
have no gills. Members of this group are
usually between 5 and 10 mm long and
may be found on marine or freshwater fish.
They typically have a broad, shieldlike
carapace, compound eyes, four biramous
thoracic appendages for swimming, and a
short, unsegmented abdomen. Second
maxillae have become modified as suction
cups, enabling the parasites to move about
on their fish host or even from fish to fish.
Development is almost direct: there is no
nauplius, and young resemble adults
except in size and degree of development
of appendages.
Fish louse; class Branchiura
Class Thecostraca
Lepas anatifera
Hyalella azteca
Hemigrapsus nudus
Panulirus argus
Infraorder Anomura (Macleay, 1838)
Porcellanidae
Petrochirus diogenes
Family Aeglidae
Aegla denticulata denticulata Nicolet 1849 Aegla abtao abtao Schmitt 1942
Infraorder Achelata (Scholtz & Richter, 1995)
Panulirus fermoristriga
Scyllaridae
Family Palinuridae
The members of the family Palinuridae are
commonly known as spiny lobsters,
crawfish/crayfish, langoustes, or shrimp
depending on the part of the world in which
they are found (Holthuis, 1991). They form
a world-wide fishing industry and are found
from cold, deep waters up into shallow
coral reefs. Palinurids have spiny
antennae, lack claws and most species
produce loud sounds using structures at Palinurus elephas
the base their antennae.
Panulirus penicillatus
Superorder Peracarida (Calman, 1904)
The superorder Peracarida is a large
group of crustaceans, having members in
marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats.
They are defined by the possession of a
single pair of maxillipeds (rarely 2–3), of
mandibles with an articulated accessory
process between the molar and incisor
teeth in the adults (called the lacinia
mobilis), and of a carapace which is often
reduced in size and is not fused with the
posterior thoracic somites. In all orders
except the Thermosbaenacea, where the
carapace is used to brood eggs, the
basalmost segments of the legs bear thin
flattened plates (oostegites) which enclose
a ventral brood pouch, known as a
marsupium. The young hatch at a post-
larval, prejuvenile stage called a manca
which lacks the last pair of legs.
Superorder Peracarida (Calman, 1904)
Gnathophausia ingens
Caprella sp.
Platyarthrus aiasensis
Order Isopoda
As in most crustaceans, the isopod body is divided into three distinct regions: head
(= cephalon), thorax, and abdomen (= pleon). In isopods, the first segment of the
thorax is fused to the head. The remaining seven free segments (pereonites) of the
thorax comprise the pereon; each normally bears a pair of uniramous legs, or
pereopods. The pereopods are modified for locomotion and for latching onto prey.
In isopods, the abdomen primitively consists of 5 free segments (pleonites) plus a
fused 6th pleonite+telson (the pleotelson). Each pleonite bears a pair of biramous
pleopods, which are used for swimming and for respiration. Isopods have
compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four sets of jaws. The first antennae
are typically chemosensory; the second antennae are typically tactile structures.
The jaws are (anterior to posterior): mandibles, maxillae 1, maxillae 2, maxillipeds.
As the name implies, the maxillipeds are actually the highly modified appendages of
the fused first thoracic segment.
Orchestia agilis
Subphylum Myriapoda
The myriapods comprise four classes of multi-
legged arthropods with at least 18 legs (9 pairs) in
adults. Two of these classes, the Diplopoda
(millipedes) and Chilopoda (centipedes) primarily
include relatively large-bodied, macroscopic
organisms that are readily seen by the general
public and are addressed in this website. The
other two classes, Symphyla and Pauropoda,
which lack common names, are microscopic Apheloria virginiensis
organisms that are at most only a few mm in
length and will not be addressed here. The
Diplopoda and Chilopoda are ecologically
important classes that occur throughout the
temperate and tropical zones of the world and
have been unintentionally introduced by man onto
most oceanic islands. They are major components
of terrestrial ecosystems including even xeric
(desert) environments, yet they are poorly known Narceus americanus
and have been relatively ignored by past and
present biologists.
Class Pauropoda (Lubbock, 1867)
Pauropods are small (less than 5 mm), pale,
terrestrial arthropods that are rarely encountered
by the casual observer. Superficially they may
resemble insects such as collembolans or
psocopterans, but adult pauropods have 11 (or
sometimes 12) body segments and 9 (or
sometimes 10 or 11) pairs of legs. They also
possess unique forked antennae (see figure
below) and a distinctive locomotory pattern
characterized by rapid burst of movement and
frequent abrupt changes in direction. Most
pauropods lack eyes and a tracheal system. Pauropoda
Pauropods can be found in soil, decaying wood,
leaf litter, and other moist places, where they feed
on fungi and decaying organic matter. Over 500
species of pauropods have been described so far.
Pauropus huxleyi
Order Pauropodina
Family Afrauropodidae ()
Ommatoiulus rutilans
Octoglena anura
Subclass Penicillata Latreille, 1829
Commonly known as bristly, pincushion or dwarf millipedes (Blower 1985, Harvey & Yen
1989), Penicillata rarely exceed 4 mm in length and have 11-13 adult body segments and 13-
17 pairs of legs (Hoffman 1982). As in other Diplopoda, most segments bear two pairs of
walking legs, the antennae have four prominent apical cones and the spermatozoa lack
flagella (Enghoff 1984). However, Penicillata differ markedly from other millipedes in a
number of ways: the body wall is thin, flexible and uncalcified; the body is adorned with long,
stiff, serrate setae arranged in dorsal, lateral and caudal tufts; and sperm transfer is indirect.
Fewer than 100 species of Penicillata have been described worldwide (Hoffman 1982).
Bristly millipedes have been collected in many parts of mainland Australia and in Tasmania
(Black 1997), but little is known of their taxonomy or biology in this country. The Western
Australian species Unixenus mjoebergii has been reported to swarm in large numbers in
spinifex country in the Hamersley Range area (Koch 1985). In contrast, an undescribed
Tasmanian polyxenid has proved to be highly elusive (Mesibov 2001).
Infraclass Pentozonia
The Pantozonia includes the pill millipides, which are able to roll into co mplete
sphere. In this group, the last one or two pairs of legs in the male are enlarged
to form telopods or claspers which assist in sperm transfer. Pentazonia refers
to the five cuticular components that make up each body ring, i.e. a target arch,
two pleurites, and two sternites.
Order Glomeridesmida
Order Sphaerotheriida
Order Glomerida
Order Glomeridesmida (Cook, 1895)
These are small, rather primitive-looking
blind millipídes found in tropical regions.
The body is rather flattened and consists
of 22 segments. These animals are
unables to roll Into balls and are possibly
similar to the ancestral millipide.
Sphaerotheriids
Order Glomerida
12 segments, can roll into a perfect ball or
sphere.
Comprise millipedes that share one
unusual feature, the ability to coil into a
sphere or “pill”. When coiled, such
millipides keep the appendages tucked
away, to obvious defensive advantage.
Glomerids are also chemically protected,
by glands arranged two per segment, with
opening along the mid-dorsal line.
Glomeris marginata (Villers, 1789)
Infraclass Helminthomorpha
Elongate, worm-like millipedes with varying degrees of fusion among segmental
sclerites; either the anterior or both pairs of legs on segment 7, or the posterior
legs on segment 7 and the anterior on segment 8, are modified into copulatory
appendages or "gonopods."
Order Siphoniulida
(no subterclass named)
males unknown; body cylindrical, head
prolonged into prominent "beak." Known
only from seven females.
Helminthomorpha
Pseudopolydesmus serratus
Subterclass Colobognatha (Brandt, 1834)
Family:
Andrognathidae (Cope, 1869*)
Platydesmidae (DeSaussure, 1860)
Brachycybe rosea
Order Polyzoniida (Cook, 1895)
Family Siphonophoridae
Family Siphonorhinidae
The name means ‘thread-bearer’. In Nematophora, the sterna are not fused with
the pleura. In this character, Nematophora resembles the superorders
mentioned above and differs from those treated further down.
Order Stemmiulida
Prostemmiulus sp
Order Callipodida
Family Abacionidae
Family Schizopetalidae
Family Callipodidae
Family Caspiopetalidae
Family Dorypetalidae
Family Sinocallipodidae
Abacion magnum
Order Chordeumatida
Gonopods comprised of both leg pairs on segment 7; body subcylindrical,
tapering caudal, toward tapered end, occasionally with paranota, 26-32
segments, caudal end with spinnerets.
About 32 families
Adritylidae
Altajellidae
Anthroleucosomatidae
Apterouridae
Attemsiidae
Biokoviellidae
Brachychaeteumatidae
Polymicrodon polydesmoides Branneriidae Caseyidae Scoterpes copei
(Leach, 1814) Chaemosomatidae (Packard, 1881)
Chordeumatidae
Cleidogonidae
Conotylidae
Craspedosomatidae…
Superorder Juliformia
Ommatoiulus rutilans
Schizophyllum sabulosum
Order Julida
Gonopods comprised of both leg pairs on segment 7; body generally
cylindrical, with conspicuous grooves or striae in two families, 30-90
segments; mostly small to moderate-size millipedes but with the longest
species in North America (about 12 cm [6 1/2 inches] long).
Cylindroiulus boleti
Order Spirobolida
Gonopods comprised of both leg pairs on segment 7; body generally
smooth and cylindrical, 35-60 segments; mostly moderate-size to large,
robust millipedes.
Family:
Allopocockiidae
Atopetholidae
Floridobolidae
Messicobolidae
Pachybolidae
Pseudospirobolellidae
Rhinocricidae
Spirobolellidae
Spirobolidae
Centrobolus annulatus Trigoniulidae
Typhlobolellidae
Narceus americanus
Order Spirostreptida
Gonopods comprised of both leg pairs on segment 7; body generally
smooth and cylindrical, 30-90 segments; size varying from narrow, fragile
species to huge and robust, including the largest known millipedes (about
28 cm [10 1/2 inches] in length).
12 FAMILIES
Adiaphorostreptidae
Cambalidae
Cambalospidae
Choctellidae
Glyphiulidae
Harpagophoridae
Iulomorphidae
Odontopygidae
Pericambalidae
Physiostreptidae
Pseudonannolenidae
Orthoporus ornatus (Girard, 1853) Spirostreptidae
Superorder Merocheta
In most species of Merocheta the body rings (‘segments’) have a pair of keel-
or winglike dorsolateral outgrowths, giving the dorsal side a flattened
appearance.
Order Polydesmida
Gonopods comprised of anterior legs on segment 7; body usually with 20
segments, occasionally 19, usually with variable "paranota" that impart a flattened
appearance and the name "flat-back millipedes"; dorsum varying from smooth
and unmodified to highly ornamented with lobes and pustules; size varying from
3-150 mm [over 6 inches]; large forms often highly colorful, with vivid red, orange,
blue, and violet pigmentations in spotted or banded patterns. This order has the
most species and is only one with cyanide in defensive secretions.
About 28 families
Ammodesmidae
Aphelidesmidae
Campodesmidae
Chelodesmidae
Cryptodesmidae
Cyrtodesmidae… Polydesmus collaris
Class Chilopoda
Centipedes are uniramian arthropods whose bodies are made up of a chain of
many (up to 177) flattened segments, each except the one behind the head and
last two bearing a single pair of appendages (legs). The appendages of the first
body segment have been modified to form large, poisonous fangs that are used
to capture prey. The bite of a large centipede, however, can be painful to an adult
and dangerous to a small child.
This class comprises five orders distinguished by the number of legs and pedal
(leg-bearing) segments, and by the degree of "heteronomy" (unequalness) or
fusion in the "tergites" (the dorsal segmental plates). The orders are combined
into two subclasses based on the position of the "spiracles" (openings to the
tracheal or respiratory system) and the general body form.
Class Chilopoda
Scolopendra cingulata
Scutigera coleoptrata
Class Chilopoda
Lithobius variegatus
Subclass Notostigmophora
"spriacles" are located middorsally, head is "dome shaped."
Order Scutigeromorpha
Adults with 15 pairs of legs and pedal segments; hatchlings with four;
characterized by very long legs and antennae, and fusion of tergites,
resulting in less than 15 dorsal plates.
Scutigera coleoptrata
Subclass Pleurostigmophora
"spiracles" located laterally, head flattened. Forms exhibit two modes of
development - "anamorphic," in which hatchlings possess less than the adult
complement of legs and segments, adding legs and segments, and becoming
larger, at each molt; and "epimorphic," in which hatchlings possess the full
adult complement of legs and segments, and become larger at each molt.
Order Lithobiomorpha
"anamorphic" forms; adults with 15 pairs of legs and pedal segments;
hatchlings with 6-8; exhibits strong tergite"heteronomy" with alternating long
and short plates.
(1 family; also only 1 genus and at most 2 species) - "anamorphic" forms, adults
with 15 pairs of legs and pedal segments, hatchlings with 12. eem to represent
a transitional stage between the Lithobiomorpha and the Scolopendromorpha.
Only one genus (Craterostigma) which is found in Tasmania and New Zealand.
Length 2-5 cm
Scolopocryptops sexspinosus
Necrophloephagus longicornis
Chilopod cladogram, from Edgecombe, G. D. and Giribet, G., 2002
Class Symphyla
These tiny myriapods generally resemble very small centipedes. The creatures are
blind and colourless The mouthparts consist of a pair of mandibles and 2 pairs of
maxillae. There are 12 leg-bearing trunk segments; with 6-7 pairs legs at birth and
12 pairs at maturity. Tracheal system anterior body only, with a single pair of
spiracles on the head.
The terminal segment carries a pair of silk-producing spinnerets. Unlike centipedes,
there are more tergites than segments.
The gonopore is on fourth segment. The spermatophore is deposited on the
ground. The female collects it and stores it in the mouth. The egg is taken from
gonopore to mouth and coated in sperm.
Symphylans are burrowers, living deep in the soil, often aggregated in large
numbers (more than 5000 per square metre). There are about 160 living species.
Length 2-10mm.
Scutigerella immaculata
Myriapod cladogram, from Edgecombe, G. D. and Giribet, G., 2002
Subphylum Chelicerata
Chelicerate arthropods are an ancient group that includes eurypterids (extinct),
horseshoe crabs, spiders, ticks and mites, scorpions, and sea spiders. They are
characterized by having six pairs of appendages that include a pair of
chelicerae, a pair of pedipalps, and four pairs of walking legs (a pair of
chelicerae and five pairs of walking legs in horseshoe crabs).
They have no mandibles and no antennae. Most chelicerates suck liquid food
from their prey.
Achaearanea tepidariorum
Acanthepeira stellata
Class Arachnida
This large Class of arthropods includes over 60,000 described species (and most
likely a very large number of so-far undescribed ones). Spiders make up the
majority of these (over 50,000 described species); with mites and ticks next
largest (around 48,200 species). The Arachnida also includes a diverse array of
smaller groups, including scorpions (1200 species), whip scorpions (100
species), palpigrades (60 species), pseudoscorpions (2000 species), solpugids
(900 species), and harvestmen (5000 species). Nearly all species are terrestrial.
Smeringurus mesaensis
Dermacentor occidentalis
Argiope bruennichi
Order Araneae
Spiders are a large group of 35,000 species, distributed throughout the world. The
spider body is compact: a cephalothorax (prosoma) and abdomen
(opisthosoma), both unsegmented and joined by a slender pedicel.
Anterior appendages are a pair of chelicerae (Figure 18-5), which have terminal
fangs through which run ducts from poison glands, and a pair of pedipalps
having basal parts with which they chew. Four pairs of walking legs terminate in
claws.
Theraphosa blondi
Suborder Opisthothelae
Infraorder Mygalomorphae
Psalmopoeus irminia
Bothriocyrtum californicum
Calisoga longitarsus
Family Cyrtaucheniidae Family Actinopodidae
Missulena bradleyi
Aptostichus simus
Family Hexathelidae
Family Barychelidae
Macrothele calpeiana
Ozycrypta sp
Infraorder Araneomorphae
Hypochilus pococki
Serie Haplogynae
Dysdera erythrina
Pholcus phalangioides
Serie Entelegynae
Misumena vatia
Leucauge magnifica
Dolomedes tenebrosus
Order Acari
The Acari can be defined by the following characteristics:
Meristolohmannia
Trombidiformes
According to OConnor (1984), the Trombidiformes are characterized by several
charcters that unite the Prostigmata (which makes up the majority of the group) with
the Sphaerolychidae and Lordalychidae. These characters are: anamorphic
segments AN and PA not added in ontogeny; hysterosomal segment C with fewer
than four pairs of setae; and hysterosomal segments D and E with fewer than two
pairs of setae. OConnor's cladogram also indicates that the character 'hysterosoma
without primary segmentation' is a feature of the Trombidiformes; however, as it
also occurs in a number of sarcoptiform taxa, it is not a unique character. Lindquist
(1996) notes that most (but not all) members of the Trombidiformes can be
differentiated from the Sarcoptiformes by having chelicerae with a hooklike or
styletlike movable digit rather than the ancestral chelate form. Likewise, many
trombidiform mites have a padlike or rayed median empodium in contrast to the
clawlike or disk-shaped empodium of sarcoptiforms. Within the Trombidiformes, the
Prostigmata are united by having the stigmatal openings to the tracheal system
located anteriorly (e.g. on the prodorsum or near the base of the mouthparts).
Cunaxa (Cunaxidae) feeding on a springtail (Collembola)
Parasitengona
The Cohort Parasitengona comprises 6 superfamilies of terrestrial prostigmatan
mites and 9 superfamilies of aquatic mites (this group being termed the
Hydracarina or water mites) for a total of about 60 families. There are about
7000 named species, 5000 of which belong to the Hydracarina (Welbourn
1991). Many of the named terrestrial species belong to the medically important
Trombiculoidea, a group that contains the chiggers (also known as scrub itch
mites).
The major uniting characteristic of the Parasitengona is their complex life-
cycle, consisting of a parasitic larva, two inactive pupa-like stages that
represent the protonymph and tritonymph, and active predatory deutonymphal
and adult stages.
Hydrodroma (Hydrodromidae,
Hydryphantoidea) from
Queensland, Australia.
Order Parasitiformes
Parasitiform mites have free coxae, a ventral anal opening covered by a pair of
plates, corniculli on the hypostome (lost in ticks), a sclerotised ring surrounding
the gnathosoma (capitulum), and usually a biflagellate tritosternum (lost in ticks,
many holothyrids, and some parasitic Mesostigmata).
Allothyrus sp.
Suborder Ixodida
According to Lehtinen (1991) the following characters are synapomorphic for the
Ixodida:
Other prominent features of ticks are their large size, when compared to other
mites, and Haller's organ, a complex sensory apparatus on tarsus 1 (the
holothyridan mites have a homologous organ).
Amblyomma hebraeum
Otobius megnini
Order Scorpionida
Scorpions are easily distinguished from other arachnids by their large, well
developed claws (pedipalps) and distinct division of the abdomen (opisthosoma)
into a broad preabdomen (mesosoma) and narrow, tail-like postabdomen
(metasoma). All scorpions possess a poisonous sting (telson) and a pair of
peculiar, comb-like, sensory appendages called pectens.
There about 1100 species of scorpions known worldwide, and probably that many
more still to be discovered. Although they are normally associated with hot, dry
areas like deserts, scorpions are found in a variety of habitats including cool, wet
forests and grasslands.
Scorpions are among the oldest arachnids. The earliest fossils date from the
middle Silurian rocks, over 400 million years old. Early scorpions had large
compound eyes, but were otherwise similar to living forms.
Scorpions are generally large arachnids. Adults range in size from 1.5 cm to 21
cm in length. Some fossil scorpions are thought to have been up to 1 meter in
length! All are predatory. Their prey includes a variety of arthropods and other
invertebrates, and the larger species are known to prey on small vertebrates.
The scorpion's most notorious feature is its poisonous sting. While all scorpions
are venomous, only about twenty species worldwide possess venom of sufficient
toxicity to kill humans.
Order Scorpionida
Cyclophthalmus senior
Suborder Scorpiones
Centruroides vittatus
Order Solifugae (Sundevall, 1833)
Solifugae is an order of Arachnida, containing more than 1,000 described
species in about 140 genera. The order is also known by the names Solpugida,
Solpugides, Solpugae, Galeodea and Mycetophorae. Their common names
include camel spider, wind scorpion, jerrymuglum, sun scorpion and sun
spider. In southern Africa they are known by a host of names including red
romans, haarskeerders and baarskeerders, the latter two relating to the belief
they use their formidable jaws to clip hair from humans and animals to line their
subterranean nests.
Solifugae are not true spiders, which are from a different order, Aranea. Like
scorpions and harvestmen they belong to a distinct arachnid order.
Ammotrechidae
Ceromidae
Daesiidae
Eremobatidae
Galeodidae
Gylippidae
Hexisopodidae
Dolichopterus macrocheirus
Suborder Eurypterina
Superfamily Eurypteracea
This superfamily includes the "typical" (unmodified) Eurypterids, in which the last
prosomal appendages developed as swimming legs that carry paddles formed
by expansion of the two penultimate joints. They can be considered the ancestral
lineage from which the other groups evolved.
Baltoeurypterus tetragonophthalmus
Superfamily Mixopteracea
The most scorpion-like of the Eurypterids (and possibly ancestral to the
scorpions), this is a diverse group of often spiny Eurypterids. Many of these
animals were clearly amphibious, as is indicated by a trail in the Silurian of
Ringerike, Norway, believed to have been made by a large Mixopterus.
family Megalograptidae
(Caster & Kjellesvig-Waeritag, 1955 ) Family Mycteropidae
(Størmer, 1951)
family Carcinosomatidae
(Størmer 1934 )
Mycterops? scabrosus
Carcinosoma scorpionis
Megalograptus ohioensis
Suborder Pterygotina
The Pterygotids are among the most spectacular of the eurypterids, in the more
advanced forms equipped with large chelicerae or "pincers". In most eurypterids,
the chelicerae are rather small; only in the Pterygotina do they grow into large
pincer-type grasping organs as those shown here. But despite their resemblance,
these chelicerae are not homologous to the pincers of scorpions (i.e. they are not
formed from the same pair of limbs). Scorpion pincers are the second pair of
appendages, whereas pterygotid pincers are the first. These animals were active
hunting by site predators, as indicated by the large bulbous eyes, located at the
side (rather than the middle) of the head, giving superior peripheral vision.
As with most Eurypterid lineages, the Pterygotina reached their acme in the late
Silurian and early Devonian, at the time the great deltas of Euramerica and else
where were creating a rich near-shore detritus-based food-chain that enabled the
armoured ostracoderms and many other prey-animals to flourish.
family Jaekelopteridae
Jaekelopterus
The Hibbertopterina were mostly large animals, many of which may have ventured
onto land, flourishing in the moist Permo-Carboniferous coal swamps. The outer
surface of the skin is armed with spiny scales. The prosoma is subsemicircular,
strongly convex; the compound eyes almost in the middle of the head
("subcentral"), with inflated angular lobes between them. The abdominal tergites
are convex. The posterior (last) prosomal legs have a basal extension, which is a
distinguishing mark of the group.
Hibbertopterus scouleri
family Hibbertopteridae (Caster & Kjellesvig Waering, 1955 )
Campylocephalus
Hibbertopterus
Class Xiphosura
There are only 3 genera and 5 species of Xiphosura left alive today, but they were
much more numerous and diverse during the Paleozoic era. The surviving
horseshoe crabs (Limulus) are 'living fossils', barely changed in some 250 million
years (since early Triasssic time). Members of this class have a large shield that
covers the cephalothorax; the carapace is hinged between the cephalothorax and
abdomen. The exoskeleton generally consists of three parts, the large, semicircular
cephalothorax, or prosoma, the usually smaller, subtriangular and in earlier forms
"trilobite"-like opisthosoma, and the long stout tail-spine or telson (which is actually
the end part of the opisthosoma).
The prosoma contains both head and visceral organs. The compound eyes are
small (and absent in some early forms), and there are six pairs of legs (in the living
Limulus) but no antennae. The second pair of appendages, the pedipalps,
resemble walking legs. Respiration is via 5 pairs of book gills, the flaps of which
beat in a metachronal rhythm to produce a vigorous current. Recent xiphosurids
(Horseshoe crabs) feed on worms and other small invertebrates. They are often
used as laboratory animals by physiologists. It has been argued that because of
their unique status as prehistoric "living fossils" they deserve special conservation
status.
Class Xiphosura
Pseudoniscus roosevelti
Order Synziphosurida
The Synziohosurida are a small, fairly diverse, paraphyletic / ancestral group of
primitive Xiphosura. Rather trilobite-like in appearance. Large prosoma
(headshield), simple eyes only. 9 or 10 opisthosomal (abdominal) segments,
most or all of which are free (unfused). The segments are not chelate. Mostly
brackish or freshwater environments, although some forms were marine
(marginal marine?). Usually found in association with eurypterids and
ostracoderms.
Family Weinberginidae
(Richter and Richter, 1929)
Weinbergina opitzi
(Richter and Richter, 1929) Cyamocephalus loganensis Currie 1927
Family Bunodidae (Packard 1886)
Small elongate forms, ornamented prosoma, abdomen with broad axis, 9 free
segments, post-abdomen with 3 or 4 segments.
Family Euproopidae Eller, 1938 (junior synonym: family Liomesaspidae Raymond 1944
The Limulina represent the most advanced lineage of the group, descended from
early Carboniferous transitional forms like Rolfeia. The cephalothorax is wide and
arched, with the cardiophthalmic region poorly defined. . The abdominal segments
are usually fully fused, although the marginal spines are movable. Includes the 5
living species of "horseshoe crabs" (Limulus). These creatures live in a shallow
marine environment (although some Paleozoic forms may have been brackish
water inhabitants). Jurassic Xiphosurids are extremely similar to those found today.
Anderson and Selden distinguish between the superfamily Paleolimuloidea -
defined by the pyramidal cheek node on the carapace - and the superfamily
Limuloidea (which Includes all Mesozoic and Cenozoic Xiphosura).
Family Rolfeiidae (Selden and Siveter, 1987)
Nymphon gracile
Pycnogonum stearnsi
Order Pantopoda
Sea spiders, also called Pantopoda or
pycnogonids ('pycnogonid' = Greek for
'thick knee') , are marine arthropods of
class Pycnogonida.
Sea spiders have long legs in contrast to a
small body size. The number of walking
legs is usually eight (four pairs), but
species with five and six pairs exist.
Because of their small size and slender
body and legs, no respiratory system is
necessary, with gases moving by diffusion.
Ammothea verenae (Child, 1987.) A proboscis allows them to suck nutrients
from soft-bodied invertebrates, and their
digestive tract has diverticula extending
into the legs.
The basic trilobite body consists of three sections; a head called a cephalon, a
thorax and a pygidium. the head was protected by a single large plate of
exoskeleton (chitin) called a cephalic shield. this was originally derived from 5 (in
most species) smaller plates which have become fused together. The thorax is
composed of a series of practically identical segments enclosed in a series of
plates. These plates, one per segment, overlapped posteriorly (towards the back
of the animal) like tiles on the roof of a house. This arrangement allows the animal
some freedom of movement, and many trilobites were capable of rolling
themselves up into a ball much like modern day woodlice, or pill-millipedes. The
pygidium is the tail end of the animal, like the cephalon it is comprised of several
fused plates, generally it was smaller than the cephalon.
The thoracic segments all have two grooves running across (from front to back),
the combined effect of these is to make the animal look as if it has its thorax
divided into 3 longitudinal sections. It is this that gives the animals their name, tri
for three and lobita from lobe hence tri-lobite = three-lobed.
Subphylum Trilobites
Olenoides Lichas
Order Phacopida (L. Ordovician – U. Devonian) (eg Dalmanites, Phacops, Calymene)
Large order of proparian trilobites divided into 3 suborders: Cheirurina, Calymenina &
Phacopina.
Trinucleus Phillipsia
Trilobite classification and geological ranges
Este trabajo cuenta con una amplia
descripción de las diferentes categorías
taxonómicas agrupadas dentro del filum
artrópoda. Información tomada de bases
de datos y libros de zoología.
Prohibida de reproducción y
propagación sin consentimiento del
autor.