Arachnology is the science study of , which comprise and related invertebrates such as , pseudoscorpions, Opiliones, Tick, and mites. Those who study spiders and other arachnids are arachnologists. More narrowly, the study of spiders alone (order Araneae) is known as araneology.
The word "" derives from the Ancient Greek words ἀράχνη, arachnē, "spider"; and -λογία, -logia, "the study of a particular subject". The greek word for "spider" itself refers to Arachne, the female protagonist of an ancient tale of the Greek mythology.
Arachnology as a science
Arachnologists are primarily responsible for classifying arachnids and studying aspects of their biology. In the popular imagination, they are sometimes referred to as spider experts. Disciplines within arachnology include naming species and determining their
phylogenetics to one another (taxonomy and systematics), studying how they interact with other members of their species and/or their environment (behavioural ecology), or how they are distributed in different regions and habitats (
faunistics). Other arachnologists perform research on the
anatomy or physiology of arachnids, including the venom of spiders and scorpions. Others study the impact of spiders in agricultural ecosystems and whether they can be used as biological control agents.
Subdisciplines
Arachnology can be broken down into several specialties, including:
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acarology – the study of and
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araneology – the study of spiders
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scorpiology – the study of
Arachnological societies
Arachnologists are served by a number of scientific societies, both national and international in scope. Their main roles are to encourage the exchange of ideas between researchers, to organise meetings and congresses, and in a number of cases, to publish academic journals. Some are also involved in
science outreach programs, such as the
European spider of the year, which raise awareness of these animals among the general public.
International
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International Society of Arachnology (ISA) website
Africa
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African Arachnological Society (AFRAS) website
Asia
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Arachnological Society of Japan (ASJ) website
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Asian Society of Arachnology (ASA) website
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Indian Society of Arachnology website
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Iranian Arachnological Society (IAS) website
Australasia
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Australasian Arachnological Society website
Europe
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Aracnofilia – Associazione Italiana di Aracnologia website
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Arachnologia Belgica – Belgian Arachnological Society (ARABEL) website
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Arachnologische Gesellschaft (AraGes) website
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Association Francaise d'Arachnologie (AsFrA) website
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British Arachnological Society (BAS) website
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Czech Arachnological Society website
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European Society of Arachnology (ESA) website
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Grupo Ibérico de Aracnologia (Iberian Peninsula) website
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Magyar Arachnolgia – Hungarian Arachnology
North America
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American Arachnological Society (AAS) website
Arachnological journals
Scientific journals devoted to the study of arachnids include:
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Acarologia
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Acta Arachnologica – published by the Arachnological Society of Japan
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Arachnida: Rivista Aracnologica Italiana
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Arachnology – published by the British Arachnological Society
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Arachnology Letters – published by the Arachnologische Gesellschaft
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International Journal of Acarology
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Journal of Arachnology – published by the American Arachnological Society
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Revista Ibérica de Aracnología – published by the Grupo Ibérico de Aracnología
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Revue Arachnologique
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Serket
Popular arachnology
In the 1970s, arachnids – particularly
tarantulas – started to become popular as exotic pets. Many tarantulas consequently became more widely known by their common names, such as Mexican redknee tarantula for
Brachypelma hamorii.
Various societies now focus on the husbandry, care, study, and captive breeding of tarantulas, and other arachnids. They also typically produce journals or newsletters with articles and advice on these subjects.
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British Tarantula Society (BTS) website
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Deutsche Arachnologische Gesellschaft (DeArGe) website
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The American Tarantula Society (ATS) website
See also
External information links
