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Tailless Whipscorpions of Zihuatanejo

ORDER AMBLYPYGI

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Chelicerates Subphylum Chelicerata

-Arachnids (Class Arachnida)

-Tailless Whipscorpions (Order Amblypygi)

-Superfamily (Phrynoidea)

-Phrynid Tailless Whipscorpions (Family Phrynidae)

-Genus Phrynus

-Phrynus operculatus


Tailless Whipscorpions are commonly found under bark, also under stones and dead cactus. Dark reddish brown colour, except in the frontal area of ​​the carapace, which has no red colour. The thorny-edged pedipalps (second pair of appendages) seize prey, and the third appendages are long, whiplike feelers. They are quite dangerous-looking creatures but are actually not dangerous at all to humans. The tailless whip scorpions feed on crickets, locusts, termites, worms, and other invertebrates.

Tailless Whipscorpion

Phrynus operculatus

Diet

  • Carnivorous, feeding on crickets, cockroaches, moths, beetles, spiders, termites, and other small arthropods.

  • Hunts at night using its extremely long, whip-like front legs to detect vibrations and locate prey before seizing it with powerful, spiny pedipalps.

Range

  • Native to western and southern Mexico, occurring from Jalisco south through Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and into Chiapas.

  • Widespread in suitable habitat throughout the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Found from sea level to approximately 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical semi-deciduous forests, rocky canyons, caves, forest edges, and riparian woodlands.

  • During the day, shelters beneath loose bark, under rocks and fallen logs, inside tree hollows, and in rock crevices.

  • Strictly nocturnal, emerging after dark to hunt on tree trunks, rock faces, and the forest floor.

Size

  • Body length: 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in)

  • Leg span (including antenniform front legs): Up to 20–25 cm (8–10 in)

  • Weight: Typically 10–30 g

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