The opisthosoma is the posterior portion of the arachnids body behind the prosoma (cephalothorax). The number of segments and appendages on the opisthosoma vary. Scorpions have 13, but the first is only seen during its embryological development. In general, appendages are absent or reduced, although in horseshoe crabs they persist as large plate-like limbs, called opercula or branchiophores, bearing the book gills, and that function in locomotion and gas exchange. In most chelicerates the opisthosomal limbs are greatly reduced and persist only as specialized structures, such as the silk-producing spinnerets of spiders or the pectines of scorpions. In animals like whip scorpions and whip spiders the first two 'sternites' bearing the book lungs may actually be highly modified opisthosomal limbs.
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Last updated on Friday July 18, 2008 at 12:24:29 PDT (GMT -0700)
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