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Ammotrecha chiapasi
Small male "Sun Spider" about 1 cm long (however Solifugid actually means to hide from the sun). They are also called Camel Spiders and Wind Scorpions, among many other common names, although they are neither spiders nor scorpions. These guys are fast, ferocious predators with large chelicerae that function vertically instead of laterally. They look like they have 5 pair of legs, but the first leg-like appendages are the pedipalps which they normally carry out in front of the body when running. Order Solifugae, Family Ammotrechidae.
These are usually found in desert or arid environments, less from forests or more humid environments. This one was in the house in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, high altitude montane cloud forest.
The species description says this one is known only from the type series at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. It also says "Muma (1986) noted that this species is readily distinguished from others in the genus by the presence of a white ring at the proximal end of the palpal metatarsus and the lack of paired, stout, spine-like setae on the palpal metatarsus." This pale white ring is visible in all the pictures. Great site for Solfugid pictures! http://www.spiderzrule.com/wind.htm
You're welcome!
You've been lucky!. This seems to be a rare species, only known by the typical material (3 males, 2 females).
Thank you so much Hernán! I think you are right about it being A. chiapasi. It has the characteristics of the species mentioned in the species description. So glad you saw it.
Hello.
It belongs to the family Ammotrechidae.
Two species are know from Chiapas: Ammotrecha chiapasi and Ammotrechella bolivari.
However, the type locality of A. chiapasi is 'San Cristobal de las Casas', probably be this species.
Thank you so much Lisa for the Honor. These are fascinating creatures, both beneficial and scary :)
Congrats LaurenZarate! This spotting was featured as a Project Noah Fun fact:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...
Project Noah Fun Fact: Called sun spiders, the name Solifugae is derived from Latin, and ironically means "those that flee from the sun". These interesting members of the class Arachnida are also commonly called wind scorpions, camel spiders and solifuges. Although they appear somewhat spider-like, the Solifugae make up an order of their own. They are found mostly in dry, arid habitats around the world and are voracious predators. There are over 150 different genera and over 1000 species have been described to date. These ferocious looking creatures are often attributed with many fearful characteristics and legends, but these scary looking predators are harmless to humans although they may bite.
Solifugid spotted by Project Noah member LaurenZarate:
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/107...
Thank you Lowell, this was probably a juvenile, the big ones are really intimidating and can bite hard, but no venom.
Wow!! What a mysterious and fascinating little creature. Very cool spotting, and great macros.
Spotted on Nov 26, 2013
Submitted on Nov 29, 2013
