Phrynus marginemaculatus
| Phrynus marginemaculatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Amblypygi |
| Family: | Phrynidae |
| Genus: | Phrynus |
| Species: | P. marginemaculatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Phrynus marginemaculatus C. L. Koch, 1841 | |
Phrynus marginemaculatus is a species of Amblypygid found in southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola.[1] They are nocturnal predators that hide during the day in small retreats.
Appearance
The body of P. marginemaculatus can measure up to 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long, but its front legs can reach 100 millimetres (3.9 in) long. It has eight pairs of legs with six used for walking and the first employed as sensory organs for detecting prey and navigating their environment. Its cephalothorax is wider than it is long and is outfitted with eight eyes. One pair of eyes is located in front and 3 more pairs on the sides. They produce no venom, but instead have arm-like pedipalps and a pair of smaller chelicerae.
Behavior
P. marginemavulatus use 3 pairs of ambulatory legs to move sideways as a crab would and 1 pair for sensory purposes. They capture prey using, arm-like pedipalps. P. marginemaculatus engage in agonistic interactions, where opponents use a series of displays.[2]
Reproduction
To reproduce, the male and female P. marginemaculatus by exhibiting ritualized displays in a stereotyped sequence. Males deposit a spermatophore the female retrieved to fertilize eggs. After a few weeks to months she exudes a brood sac containing from 12 to 20 eggs. These develop over a three-month period, and after hatching the female will then carry the first instars on her back for about ten days until they molt. About two years is needed for young to reach adulthood and then another two to three years can be expected from the adult.
References
- ↑ Diomedes Quintero, Jr. (1981). "The amblypygid genus Phrynus in the Americas (Amblypygi, Phrynidae)" (PDF). Journal of Arachnology 9: 117–166.
- ↑ Kasey D Fowler-Finn; Eileen A Hebets (2006). "An examination of agonistic interactions in the whip spider Phrynus marginemaculatus (Arachnida, Amblypygi)" (PDF). Journal of Arachnology 34: 62–76. doi:10.1636/s04-104.1.