Characteristics
The organisms of Chelicerata share very similar external and internal structures as well as similar behaviors and habitats. Externally, all of the organisms have segmented bodies, jointed limbs, mouth appendages (chelicerae), and an exoskeleton. Internally, they all share open circulatory systems with tube-like hearts. All of the organisms have bodies that are divided into three sections, however on ticks the separation is not obvious.
The behavior among the group is diverse in the ways they feed and reproduce. The group has predators, herbivores, parasites, and scavengers. Ticks are parasites and feed on the blood of animals they latch onto using a part of their body called the hypostome. Mites are similar to ticks, except they also feed on skin and keratin, and don't latch on to their host. Other species of mites feed on dust, plants, or mold. Scorpions, spiders, harvestmen, horseshoe crabs, and solifugae are all predators but harvestmen and horseshoe crabs also eat plants occasionally. Each predator obtains their prey and consumes it differently. Some species of scorpions and spiders use venom to kill their prey and consume it with their special mouth appendages. Spiders break down their prey in digestive fluid and consume it in liquid form. Scorpions break their food into smaller parts. Horseshoe crabs crush their food which is usually calms, worms, and algae, before passing it to their mouth. Solifugaes eat small insects, mammals, reptiles, and other arachnids and consume their prey much like scorpions do. Harvestmen eat a variety of organisms, plants, and decaying matter to which they grind up with their chelicerae.
The organisms in Chelicerata have similar ways of reproduction, however they differ slightly. Horseshoe crabs use external fertilization while the arachnids use internal fertilization. Most arachnids lay eggs, but some scorpions and mites keep the eggs inside of them until they hatch. Some species take care of their young and others don’t. All the species have various ways of attracting mates that vary drastically from each other.
Chelicerata is spread across the world. Some of the species have very specific habitats while others are found in multiple parts of the world. Scorpions and solifugaes are found throughout the world in desert and semi-arid areas. Ticks, mites, and spiders live nearly everywhere and different species thrive in an abundance of climates. Horseshoe crabs are found mainly in the Gulf of Mexico and the Northern Atlantic Coast of North America. Harvestmen live in humid areas like forests, caves, and under rocks. The group does not have a specific habitat because each species has different adaptations to different regions and lifestyles.
The behavior among the group is diverse in the ways they feed and reproduce. The group has predators, herbivores, parasites, and scavengers. Ticks are parasites and feed on the blood of animals they latch onto using a part of their body called the hypostome. Mites are similar to ticks, except they also feed on skin and keratin, and don't latch on to their host. Other species of mites feed on dust, plants, or mold. Scorpions, spiders, harvestmen, horseshoe crabs, and solifugae are all predators but harvestmen and horseshoe crabs also eat plants occasionally. Each predator obtains their prey and consumes it differently. Some species of scorpions and spiders use venom to kill their prey and consume it with their special mouth appendages. Spiders break down their prey in digestive fluid and consume it in liquid form. Scorpions break their food into smaller parts. Horseshoe crabs crush their food which is usually calms, worms, and algae, before passing it to their mouth. Solifugaes eat small insects, mammals, reptiles, and other arachnids and consume their prey much like scorpions do. Harvestmen eat a variety of organisms, plants, and decaying matter to which they grind up with their chelicerae.
The organisms in Chelicerata have similar ways of reproduction, however they differ slightly. Horseshoe crabs use external fertilization while the arachnids use internal fertilization. Most arachnids lay eggs, but some scorpions and mites keep the eggs inside of them until they hatch. Some species take care of their young and others don’t. All the species have various ways of attracting mates that vary drastically from each other.
Chelicerata is spread across the world. Some of the species have very specific habitats while others are found in multiple parts of the world. Scorpions and solifugaes are found throughout the world in desert and semi-arid areas. Ticks, mites, and spiders live nearly everywhere and different species thrive in an abundance of climates. Horseshoe crabs are found mainly in the Gulf of Mexico and the Northern Atlantic Coast of North America. Harvestmen live in humid areas like forests, caves, and under rocks. The group does not have a specific habitat because each species has different adaptations to different regions and lifestyles.