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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Whipscorpions (Uropygi)

Order Uropygi - Whipscorpions

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Remarks · Print References · Internet References
Mastigoproctus giganteus mating 3 - Mastigoproctus tohono - male - female Vinegaroon - Mastigoproctus Vinegaroon - Mastigoproctus tohono 1117 Vinegaroon - Mastigoproctus floridanus Mastigoproctus giganteus mating 4a - Mastigoproctus tohono - male - female
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
Class Arachnida (Arachnids)
Order Uropygi (Whipscorpions)
Explanation of Names
The long whiplike tail projection gives the common name Whipscorpion. Unlike Scorpions, the tail cannot sting but is instead used as a sensory organ.
Numbers
3 spp. in the U.S. (one each in AZ, TX, and FL)
Identification
Latrge pinching mouthparts (modified pedipalps). First pair of legs (of a total of four pairs) is not used for walking but instead is modified to provide extra sensory organs.
Remarks
Almost all specimens were once placed in Mastigoproctus giganteus until recent (2018) work showed M. giganteus to be restricted to Mexico.
Print References
Barrales-Alcalá, Diego, Oscar F. Francke, and Lorenzo Prendini. "Systematic Revision of the Giant Vinegaroons of the Mastigoproctus giganteus Complex (Thelyphonida: Thelyphonidae) of North America." Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 418 (2018): 1-62.
Internet References
Wikipedia
Contributed by john and jane balaban on 28 August, 2005 - 10:44am
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason, Jeff Hollenbeck, metrioptera, Blocky
Last updated 7 July, 2018 - 12:40pm

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