Arachnids / Jan Beccaloni.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Spiders aren't the only arachnids -- Araneae (spiders) -- Amblypygi (whip spiders) -- Uropygi (whip scorpions, vinegaroons) -- Schizomida (short-tailed whip scorpions) -- Palpigradi (micro whip scorpions) -- Ricinulei (hooded tick spiders, tick beetles) -- Acari (mites and ticks) -- Opiliones (harvestmen, harvest spiders, daddy long legs spiders) -- Scorpiones (scorpions) -- Pseudoscorpiones (false scorpions, book scorpions) -- Solifugae (camel spiders, wind spiders, wind scorpions, sun spiders).

"With over 38,000 species of spiders alone, arachnids are an amazingly diverse group of invertebrates - and with names like the Goliath bird-eating spider, the tailless whip spider, and the harvestman, they can be both spectacular and captivating. Most books about arachnids focus on spiders, neglecting scorpions, ticks, mites, wind spiders, and other fascinating yet poorly understood groups. This adventurous volume summarized all existing knowledge about each major type of arachnid, and reveals their secrets through detailed species accounts, brilliant photographs, and a compelling cast of eight-legged characters. It examines the anatomy, habitat, behavior, and distribution of each lineage, from the garden spider to the death stalker scorpion and even a species of mite that lives inside a monkey's lungs. Drawing on the vast resources at London's Natural History Museum, Arachnids spins a sensational tale, debunking common myths and delving deep into the lives of these bizarre and beautiful creatures."--Jacket.