| Phrynus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Phrynus whitei | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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 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 Thelyphonida. 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.
Uropygi is an arachnid order comprising invertebrates commonly known as whip scorpions or vinegaroons. They are often called uropygids. 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. The order may also be called Thelyphonida. Both names, Uropygi and Thelyphonida, may be used either in a narrow sense for the order of whip scorpions, or in a broad sense which includes the order Schizomida.
Eresus, also called ladybird spiders, is a genus of velvet spiders that was first described by Charles Athanase Walckenaer in 1805. Members of the genus formerly called Eresus cinnaberinus or Eresus niger are now placed in one of three species: Eresus kollari, Eresus sandaliatus and Eresus moravicus.
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 2021, Tityus contains more than 220 described species distributed in Central America and South America, from Costa Rica to Argentina. Species in the genus Tityus have been studied for hundreds of years, long before the taxonomic classification was put in place. Tityus tend to be of medium size for scorpions, roughly 50 to 70 millimeters long. They are dark brown or red in color, and can exhibit sexual dimorphism. They can live in a variety of environments, ranging from urban to arid mountains to the Amazon Rainforest. Tityus scorpions are best known for their venom and potent sting. The genus contains several dangerously venomous scorpions, the best known of which is the Brazilian yellow scorpion, T. serrulatus. Its venom can cause severe illness, and in the young, old and infirm even death. Some experts have argued that the genus as a whole may be paraphyletic, which could explain the knowledge gaps related to Tityus.
Phrynus marginemaculatus, simply known as spotted tailless whip scorpion 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, and was 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 Zim.
Buthus is a genus of scorpion belonging and being eponymous to the family Buthidae. It is distributed widely across northern Africa, including Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, as well as the Middle East, including Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and possibly Saudi Arabia and southern Turkey. Its European range includes the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and Cyprus.
Phrynus longipes is a species of amblypygid native to the Caribbean region. 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 feeds on primarily arthropods, but has been observed to prey upon small vertebrates.
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.
Holothele is a genus of tarantulas that was first described by Ferdinand Anton Franz Karsch in 1879. Originally placed with the curtain-web spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1980.
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.
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, in the monotypic subfamily Heterophryninae.
Charinus is a genus of amblypygids (whip-spiders) of the family Charinidae.
Phrynus maesi is a species of amblypygid in the family Phrynidae. It is endemic to Nicaragua, specifically among the volcanic mountains in the department of Jinotega and in the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve.
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