Functional Divergence of Scorpion Pedipalps: Musculoskeletal Specialization Toward Opposing Performance Optima.

When selective pressures for different functions act simultaneously on a structure, morphological diversification can be shaped by adaptation toward distinct functional optima. Systems may evolve along a performance gradient, optimizing different aspects of function in response to ecological demands. We investigated two scorpion species representing the morphological extremes of chela (pincer) shape.

Rapid prey manipulation and bite location preferences in three species of wandering spiders.

Predator-prey interactions are the interspecific relationships of greatest interest in ecology. Spiders are among the most diverse and ubiquitous terrestrial predators on the planet. Their large dietary breadth is often linked with the development of specific predatory behaviors and morphological adaptations.

Intersexual Differences in the Gene Expression of (Araneae, Ctenidae) Toxins Revealed by Venom Gland Transcriptome Analyses.

The wandering spider, , is one of Colombia's most active nocturnal arthropod predators of vertebrates and invertebrates. Its venom has been a relevant subject of study in the last two decades. However, the scarcity of transcriptomic data for the species limits our knowledge of the distinct components present in its venom for linking the mainly neurotoxic effects of the spider venom to a particular molecular target.

Biomechanical analyses of pterygotid sea scorpion chelicerae uncover predatory specialisation within eurypterids.

Eurypterids (sea scorpions) are extinct aquatic chelicerates. Within this group, members of Pterygotidae represent some of the largest known marine arthropods. Representatives of this family all have hypertrophied, anteriorly-directed chelicerae and are commonly considered Silurian and Devonian apex predators.

The Terrific Skink bite force suggests insularity as a likely driver to exceptional resource use.

Natural history museum collections hold extremely rare, extinct species often described from a single known specimen. On occasions, rediscoveries open new opportunities to understand selective forces acting on phenotypic traits. Recent rediscovery of few individuals of Bocourt´s Terrific Skink Phoboscincus bocourti, from a small and remote islet in New Caledonia allowed to genetically identify a species of land crab in its diet.

Armed stem to stinger: a review of the ecological roles of scorpion weapons.

Scorpions possess two systems of weapons: the pincers (chelae) and the stinger (telson). These are placed on anatomically and developmentally well separated parts of the body, that is, the oral appendages and at the end of the body axis. The otherwise conserved body plan of scorpions varies most in the shape and relative dimensions of these two weapon systems, both across species and in some cases between the sexes.