NEOTROPICAL Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forest
arachnids
The creepy but diverse spiders and other arachnids of the tropical jungles of South and Central America...
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Arachnida
Order Opiliones: Harvestmen
Distinguished from spiders by having a much more rounded ball-like body, with no constriction or 'waist' between body parts. In contrast to spiders, they have one pair of eyes, rather than eight eyes. They usually have very long thin legs.
(Yarina, Amazon)Order Scorpiones
(Yarina, Ecuador)Order Araneae: Spiders
Family Theraphosidae: includes the true 'Tarantulas'
There are over 1000 species in this family. The are found throughout the tropics of the world, but seem most obvious, species rich and BIG in the neotropics. While there are tiny species, they are best known due to the large size and weight of many species. This size is reflected in their diet, with some species of tarantula being recorded to kill and eat reptiles, mice, bats and birds. They are not known to be deadly to humans, however, their bites can be painful.
(Wildsumaco Lodge, Ecuador)Family Araneidae
(Tandayapa Lodge, Ecuador)? Probably related to North American Araneus gemmoides, 'Cat-faced Spider'.
Order Amblypygi: 'Tail-less Whip Scorpions'
Yarina Lodge, Ecuador