Solpugid

Description:

This Solpugid is unusual for its location: humid, high altitude forest. It is covered in gold hair, has an orange cephalothorax, formed mostly by the heavy musculature for the jaws and 2 small black eyes. The chelicerae are small and black, each divided into two pincer-like parts. The upper part is stationary while the lower part is hinged and toothed. It was very hard to catch for photographing and runs with the pedipalps (which look like a first pair of legs) held out straight in front of it. The true first pair of legs are small and are also used for sensory input rather than for running. The sensory "racket organs" or malleoli can be seen on the underside of the last pair of legs in picture 2. Family Ammotrechidae.

Habitat:

Found at night in the garden, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, 2,200 meters.

Notes:

This could be a specialized predator of Sow Bugs. This species is described from San Cristobal de Las Casas, the Type specimen is in the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. (http://www.solpugid.com/Ammotrecha%20chi...)