Functional Anatomy and Physiology

Abstract

The general body plan and external structures for the Solifugae are shown in Figures 1–2, 1–3, and 2–1. The body possesses a diverse array of spines and setae which vary among different genera and species (Figure 1–1). The body is divided into an anterior region known as the prosoma (cephalothorax) and a posterior region or opisthosoma (abdomen). The prosoma typically consists of eight segments and comprises the head, mouthparts, pedipalps, and walking appendages (Figure 2–1). The dorsal surface of the head has the appearance of an arched, shield-like plate (prosomal carapace or prodorsum) bearing a pair of median eyes on a midline prominence (ocular tubercle) located at the center of the anterior edge of the propeltidium in close proximity to the site of insertion of the chelicerae. The prosomal or anterior carapace (Figure 1–2) is divided into at least three sclerites (propeltidium, mesopeltidium, metapeltidium) which appear to correspond to the segmentation of the prosoma in more primitive groups such as the Xiphosura and Schizomida (Van der Hammen, 1985).