Introduction: Ricinuleids comprise a small order found in the Americas and Africa. These are small animals (<10 mm -- i.e., less than 0.4") that live in high humidity microhabitats such as leaf litter. One of their most unusual characteristics is a hood-like structure that commonly covers the anterior of the cephalothorax (thus covering the mouth and chelicerae). If you look at the higher resolution photos of the adult, you will see this structure.
modified March 11, 2006 |
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