Arachnology
Arachnology is the scientific study of spiders and related animals such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, collectively called arachnids. However, the study of ticks and mites is sometimes not included in arachnology, but is called Acarology. Those who study spiders and other arachnids are arachnologists.
The word arachnology derives from Greek ἀράχνη, arachnē, "spider"; and -λογία, -logia.
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 evolutionary relationships 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 carry out research into 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.
Arachnological societies
Arachnologists are served by a number of scientific societies, both national and international in scope. Their main role is 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 outreach programs, like the European spider of the year, which raise awareness of these animals among the general public.
- American Arachnological Society
- Arachnological Society of Japan
- Arachnologische Gesellschaft
- Australasian Arachnological Society
- Belgische Arachnologische Vereniging/Société Arachnologique de Belgique
- British Arachnological Society
- Czech Arachnological Society
- European Society of Arachnology
- International Society of Arachnology
- Grupo Ibérico de Aracnología-Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa
- Turkish Arachnological Society
Arachnological journals
Scientific journals devoted to the study of arachnids include:
- Acta Arachnologica
- Acta Arachnologica Sinica
- Arachnologischen Mitteilungen
- Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society
- Journal of Arachnology
- Revista Ibérica de Aracnología
- Revue Arachnologique
- Serket
- Turkish Journal of Arachnology
Popular arachnology
In the 1970s, arachnids - particularly tarantulas - started to become popular as exotic pets. Many tarantulas thus become more widely known by their common names such as the Mexican redknee tarantula (Brachypelma smithi).
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. Examples would be: