| Phrynus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Phrynus whitei | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Amblypygi |
| Family: | Phrynidae |
| Subfamily: | Phryninae |
| Genus: | Phrynus Lamarck, 1801 |
Phrynus is a genus of whip spiders found in tropical and subtropical regions, mostly in the new world. [1]
Like other species of the order Amblypygi, species of the genus Phrynus are dorso-ventrally flattened arachnids with elongate, antenniform front legs used to navigate their environment and communicate with conspecifics. [2] Individuals capture prey using raptorial pedipalps. Phrynus species vary in size, from the small Phrynus marginemaculatus to the larger Phrynus longipes . At least one species of Phrynus is territorial and cannibalistic ( Phrynus longipes ). [3] Phrynus is a New World genus, found from the southern United States to northern South America; the sole exception is Phrynus exsul from Indonesia. [4]
Amblypygi is an ancient order of arachnid chelicerate arthropods also known as whip spiders and tailless whip scorpions. The name "amblypygid" means "blunt tail", a reference to a lack of the flagellum that is otherwise seen in whip scorpions. They are harmless to humans. Amblypygids possess no silk glands or venomous fangs. They rarely bite if threatened, but can grab fingers with their pedipalps, resulting in thorn-like puncture injuries.
Thelyphonida is an arachnid order comprising invertebrates commonly known as whip scorpions or vinegaroons. They are often called uropygids in the scientific community based on an alternative name for the order, Uropygi. The name "whip scorpion" refers to their resemblance to true scorpions and possession of a whiplike tail, and "vinegaroon" refers to their ability when attacked to discharge an offensive, vinegar-smelling liquid, which contains acetic acid.
Zygoballus is a genus of jumping spiders found in North and South America.
Centruroides is a genus of scorpions of the family Buthidae. Several North American species are known by the common vernacular name bark scorpion. Numerous species are extensively found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Antilles and northern South America. Some are known for their interesting patterning or large size ; most if not all fluoresce strongly under ultraviolet illumination, except after moulting. They contain several highly venomous species, and fatalities are known to occur. The venom of the Mexican scorpion Centruroides limpidus limpidus contains the neurotoxins Cll1 and Cll2.
Mastigoproctus is a genus of whip scorpions. Native to the tropical forest regions of northern South America, these whip scorpions can reach a length of up to 9 centimetres (3.5 in) and can weigh over 30 grams (1.1 oz). Despite popular belief, they are not venomous as, like all other whip scorpions, they do not possess venom glands.
Tityus is a large genus of thick-tailed scorpions, the namesake of its subfamily Tityinae. As of June 2012, Tityus contains more than 200 described species distributed in Central America and South America, from Costa Rica to Argentina.
Grammostola anthracina is a species of spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). It is found in Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina.
Hubbardiidae is a family of arachnids, superficially resembling spiders. It is the larger of the two extant families of the order, Schizomida, and is divided into two subfamilies. The family is based on the description published by Orator F. Cook in 1899, and was previously named as Schizomidae. The American Arachnological Society assigns the common name hubbardiid shorttailed whipscorpion to members of this family
Phrynus marginemaculatus is a species of amblypygid found in southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola. They are nocturnal predators that hide during the day in small retreats.
Herbert Walter Levi was professor emeritus of zoology and curator of arachnology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. He was born in Germany, educated there and at Leighton Park School, Reading in England. He then received his higher education at the University of Connecticut and the University of Wisconsin. Levi authored about 150 scientific papers on spiders and on biological conservation. He is the author of the popular Golden Guide Spiders and their Kin, with Lorna Rose Levi and Herbert Spencer Zim.
Phrynus longipes is a species of amblypygid often found in the Caribbean. They are also found in other warm climate areas such as the forests of Central America. Within this region, however, Phrynus longipes lives in an array of habitats from caves to coastlines. They are protective of their territory, using their pedipalps to deter predators or unwanted visitors. Being nocturnal predators, they take shelter during the day and hunt primarily at night. Phrynus longipes feed on both vertabrates and invertebrates. They are the first amblypygid to be recorded feeding on an avian species.
Paraphrynus is a genus of whip spiders, also known as tailless whip scorpions, of the family Phrynidae. It is distributed from the southwestern United States to Central America, including several Caribbean islands. Most species are endemic to Mexico.
Phrynidae is a family of amblypygid arachnida arthropods also known as whip spiders and tailless whip scorpions. Phrynidae species are found in tropical and subtropical regions in North and South America. Some species are subterranean; all are nocturnal. At least some species of Phrynidae hold territories that they defend from other individuals.
Poltys is a genus of orb-weaver spiders first described by C. L. Koch in 1843. Many species are cryptic and are known to masquerade as leaves and twigs during the day, and build an orb web at night to capture prey. The shape of the abdomen which often gives the impression of a rough and broken branch can vary among individuals within a species. The web is eaten up before dawn and reconstructed after dusk.
Bothriurus is a genus of Neotropical scorpions in the family Bothriuridae. They occur in many different habitats in South America, including deserts, steppes, savannas and forests.
Ammotrechella is a genus of curve-faced solifugids in the family Ammotrechidae. There are about 18 described species in Ammotrechella.
Phrynichus is a genus of tailless whipscorpions in the family Phrynichidae. There are about 16 described species in Phrynichus.
Heterophrynus is a genus of whip spiders, also known as tailless whip scorpions, of the family Phrynidae. It is mostly distributed in South America.