Chelicerates have a two-part body structure, which is different from insects that have three

body segments. These two main regions are:

1.​ The cephalothorax, also called the prosoma, and​

2.​ The abdomen, also called the opisthosoma.​

The cephalothorax is a fused head and thorax. This is where most of the important external
structures are located. It bears the eyes, mouthparts, pedipalps, and four pairs of walking
legs—so in total, eight legs.

The abdomen is the rear part of the body. It contains most of the internal organs, including
those for digestion, reproduction, respiration, and excretion. In some species, like spiders,
the abdomen may also carry special structures like spinnerets for producing silk.

Another important point to remember is that chelicerates do not have antennae, which is a
key feature that distinguishes them from other arthropods like insects and crustaceans.

Also, they lack mandibles, or jaw-like mouthparts, and instead use their chelicerae for feeding.

Appendages are external body parts that extend from the main body and serve specific
purposes—such as feeding, movement, or sensing the environment.

In chelicerates, there are six pairs of appendages, and all of them are attached to the
cephalothorax, which is the fused head and thorax.

The first pair is called the chelicerae.

These are specialized for feeding and can appear like fangs or pincers, depending on the
species. For example, in spiders, the chelicerae are fang-like and inject venom into prey.

The second pair is known as the pedipalps.

These have different roles depending on the species. They may help with sensing, manipulating
food, or even mating. In male spiders, pedipalps are also used to transfer sperm.

Then, we have the remaining four pairs, which are the walking legs.
These legs are used mainly for movement, and they give chelicerates a total of eight legs, which
is a trait most people associate with spiders.

The underside of the abdomen contains several important internal and external structures,
depending on the species. These structures are involved in respiration, reproduction, excretion,
and in some cases, silk production.
Common Structures Found Under the Abdomen:
1. Book Lungs or Book Gills
Spiders and scorpions have book lungs—flat, stacked plates used for breathing.

Horseshoe crabs have book gills, used for underwater respiration. These are visible flap-like
structures on the underside.

2. Genital Opening (Gonopore)

This is the reproductive opening, located near the front of the abdomen.

In spiders, this is where the male inserts sperm using pedipalps, and where eggs are laid.

3. Spinnerets (Spiders only)

Small, finger-like structures near the rear end of the spider’s abdomen.

They release silk used for building webs, wrapping prey, or creating egg sacs.

4. Anus
Located at the posterior end of the abdomen for excretion of waste.

Digestive system- Chelicerates have a complete digestive system that includes a mouth,
pharynx, esophagus, midgut, and hindgut. Digestion often starts externally, especially in
spiders, which inject digestive enzymes into their prey to liquefy it. The liquid is then sucked
into the mouth and further digested inside the midgut. Nutrients are absorbed, and waste
passes through the hindgut to be excreted.

Nervous system- Chelicerates have a centralized nervous system made up of a brain

(cerebral ganglion) and a ventral nerve cord. The brain controls sensory input from the eyes
and appendages, while the ventral nerve cord runs along the belly and connects to segmental
ganglia, which control the legs and internal organs. They also have simple eyes (ocelli) or
compound eyes, depending on the species, which help them detect light, movement, and
sometimes detailed images.

Excretory system- Chelicerates have two main types of excretory organs: Malpighian tubules
and coxal glands. Malpighian tubules are tube-like structures that filter out waste products
from the hemolymph (blood-like fluid), and the waste is excreted with feces through the gut.
Coxal glands, found in some species (like horseshoe crabs), filter waste directly from the blood
and excrete it near the base of the legs.

Circulatory system- Chelicerates have an open circulatory system, where the hemolymph
(blood-like fluid) flows freely through the body cavity. The heart pumps hemolymph into the
body, and it bathes the organs directly before returning to the heart.
Respiratory system- Varies by species:Book lungs: Thin plates that allow gas exchange
between air and blood. Book gills: Function underwater, moving water over gill plates. Tracheae:
Air-filled tubes that deliver oxygen directly to tissues.

Mode of Nutrition and Digestion

Chelicerates are mainly carnivores, using their chelicerae to inject venom and liquefy prey for
digestion. Food passes through the pharynx, esophagus, and midgut, where nutrients are
absorbed.

Locomotion

Chelicerates move with four pairs of jointed legs, allowing them to walk, crawl, or run. Some use
silk for limited movement, like gliding or descending from webs.

Excretion

Chelicerates remove waste using Malpighian tubules (filtering waste into the gut) or coxal
glands (filtering waste directly from the blood).

Reproduction

Most chelicerates have separate sexes, with internal fertilization. Males transfer sperm using
pedipalps, and females often lay eggs. Some species show courtship behavior.

Phylum: Arthropoda

They have an exoskeleton, segmented body, and jointed legs.

Subphylum: Chelicerata

They have chelicerae, no antennae, and six pairs of appendages on the cephalothorax.

Major Classes:

Merostomata – Horseshoe crabs

Marine, with book gills and a long tail spine; considered “living fossils.”

Arachnida – Spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites

Mostly land-dwellers; use book lungs or tracheae; predators or parasites.

Pycnogonida – Sea spiders (sometimes included)

Marine, with long legs and small bodies; found in cold seas.

Order Araneae – Spiders​

Use silk, have venomous fangs, and are mostly predators.​
Order Scorpiones – Scorpions​
Have a segmented tail with a stinger and pincers for grasping prey.

Order Acari – Ticks and Mites​

Very small; many are parasites of plants and animals.

Order Opiliones – Harvestmen or Daddy Longlegs​

Have a fused body and long legs; non-venomous and not true spiders.​

​
Chelicerates are ecologically important as:

●​ Predators – Control insect populations (e.g., spiders, scorpions).​

●​ Decomposers – Some mites break down organic matter.​

●​ Prey – Serve as food for birds, fish, and other animals.​

●​ Contributors to science – Horseshoe crab blood is used in medical testing.​