Tarantula and Tit'xka Anatomy

The following terms are used to describe the anatomy and nature of either
tarantulas (and many other spiders) and Tit'xka.  When the Tit'xka have
words describing the word in question, it is written in parentheses, with
the phonetic pronounciation in square brackets.

Abdomen (kinca [kinSa]) : The bulb shaped portion of the body connected to
the back of the cephalothorax by the pedicel.

Arboreal (kisekakesa [kIskaksa] lit. "in forest") : Refers to tree-dwelling
Tit'xka.

Autotomy : The tarantula's ability to lose a leg at a breakaway point when
it is either grabbed or the leg is damaged.  Also called autospasy.  The
Tit'xka have lost this ability, and are incapable of this natural form of
self amputation.

Book Lungs : Primitive gill like lungs, used by Tarantulas but not Tit'xka.

Carapace (ka?itsa [ka?Itsa]) : The tough top portion of the cephalothorax
containing the eyes and fovea.

Cephalothorax (setecna [st@Sna]) : Literally "head and thorax".  The portion
of the body to which the legs, pedipalps, chelicerae, and abdomen are
connected.

Chelicerae (satesa [satsa]) : The jaw-like structure joined to the front of
the cephalothorax that contains the fangs and venom glands.

Chitin : A nitrogenous polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of both the
Tarantula and the Tit'xka.

Claw (tesanqi [t@sa~xI]) : Found at the end of each tarsus, the claws give
the spider excellent gripping ability, enabling it to climb even smooth
vertical surfaces.  Tit'xka are incapable of climbing these extremes, but
are capable of climbing rougher surfaces with the use of their claws.

Coxa (cixaq [SItSax]) : The area that connects the leg to the cephalothorax.

Cuticle : The tough material that makes up the exoskeleton.

Cymbium : The part of the mature male tarantula's pedipalp that is used to
pick up sperm and transfer it to the female.  The Tit'xka have lost gender
differences, and only reproductive "mothers" retain these sex organs.

Ecdysis : A process by which the tarantula sheds it's exoskeleton, allowing
for growth and the regeneration of lost or damaged limbs.  Synonymous with
molt.  The Tit'xka do not molt, their exoskeleton cracks apart, and hardens
in the new tender spaces over time.

Egg-sac (cenaste [Snast@]) : a silk bundle that contains the tarantula's
eggs.  The Tit'xka "mothers" are the only Tit'xka capable of producing egg
sacs.

Endoskeleton (taxetsi [tatS@tsI]) : The internal skeleton unique to the wolf
sized Tit'xka.  It is believed to have evolved from a single or multiple
organs used to assist the exoskeleton by filling them with blood or gas when
necessary.

Epigastric Furrow : The opening to the spermatheca in the female tarantula.
Only the Tit'xka "mothers" retain this sex organ.

Epigyne : The opening to the reproductive organs located on the underside of
the abdomen between the lung slits.  Only retained by the Tit'xka "mothers".

Exoskeleton (taxeki [tatSki] note: taxeki is also used to describe mammalian
skin.  This causes Tit'xka to think of their skin as superior.) : A hard
outer covering that provides support and protection to the tarantula.  The
Tit'xka have primarily retained the exoskeleton, but only for its protective
use.

Exuviae : The molted exoskeleton of tarantulas.  Tit'xka do not molt,
therefore you will never find a Tit'xka Exuviae.

Eye Pod : A small raised area on the carapace, near the chelicerae, that
contains the eyes.  Tit'xka have two mammal-like eyes, and three to five
additional insectoid eyes, depending on caste.

Fangs (sateca [satSa]) : Found under the chilcerae, the hollow fangs are
used to hold and inject venom into the prey.

Fovea : A small pit located near the center of the carapace.  Internally,
the leg muscles are attached at this point, and the endoskeleton connects to
the carapace near this point in the Tit'xka.

Hemolymph (hinqa [hi~qa]) : a thick blue tinged fluid that bathes the
tarantula's organs (tarantula blood).  Tit'xka have retained this, but their
cardiac system has evolved to a more mammal like blood vessel system.
Tit'xka are warm blooded by nature, and are therefore, more active generally
than tarantulas would be.

Lung slits (tensace [t@nsaS] note: this is also used to describe mammalian
nostrils.) : Gill-like slits found on the underside of the abdomen that
allow air exchange with the book lungs of the tarantula, and the more
evolved lungs of the Tit'xka.  Tarantulas have four lung slits, Tit'xka have
five, the fifth including the vocalization organs.

Mating spurs : Hooks found on the back of the tibia on the first pair of
legs on a mature male tarantula, and on a mature Tit'xka mother.  They are
used to secure the fangs of the mate during mating.  Also called tibial
spurs.

Molt : see Ecdysis.

Ootheca : see Egg-sac.

Palpal Bulbs : Found at the tip of the pedipalps on a mature male tarantula,
and a mature Tit'xka "mother", palpal bulbs are used to hold and transfer
the sperm to the female tarantula or other Tit'xka "mothers".

Pedicel : A narrow structure that connects the adbomen to the cephalothorax.

Pedipalps (tenanqah [t@na~xax] : Small appendages found on each side of the
chelicerae, they look like short legs, but are actually part of the mouth
and are used to move, grasp and manipulate prey, egg-sacs and for mating
purposes in the mature male tarantula and Tit'xka "mother".  Tit'xka have
evolved hands on the end of the pedipalps.

Rastellum : A row of teeth found on the chelicerae that some tarantulas and
Tit'xka use for burrowing.

Setae : hairs on the legs attached to sensitive nerves that allow tarantula
to sense the slightest vibration.  Tit'xka have lost these, and hear using
an actual ear structure located very close to the eyes.

Silk (xaxi [tSatSi]) : Fine filaments produced by the spider's spinnerets
and used to create egg-sacs, line burrows and help capture prey.  Tit'xka
have retained this silk, and use it for many things, including hardening it
to the point of architectural usage.  Tit'xka "paper" is also made out of
their silk.

Spermatheca : A special sac found in female tarantula's and Tit'xka mothers'
abdomen, in which sperm from the male tarantula or other Tit'xka mothers is
stored.  If no eggs are produced, the female tarantula will shed the
spermatheca with the next molt and must mate again if she is to produce
eggs.  Tit'xka mothers never lose their spermatheca.

Sperm Web : A special web produced by a mature male tarantula, and Tit'xka
mothers.  The spider will deposit a drop of sperm onto the web, then draw
the sperm into the palpal bulbs, ready for introduction into the female
tarantula, or other Tit'xka mothers.

Spinneret : Finger-like organs located at the back of the abdomen that
produce and guide the spider's silk.

Stridulation (sicec [sIS@S]) : A hissing sound produced by rubbing hair from
the chelicerae, and pedipalps, that, along with rearing up, some tarantulas
will use as a warning.  Tit'xka do not do this, but keep tarantula as pets
and regard this as one of the few things that they call "cute".

Sucking Stomach : The spider's specially developed stomach that sucks the
predigested fluid from the prey.  Tit'xka use basically the same digestion
system.

Terrestrial (kisekenanqesa [kIsk@na~xsa] lit. "on the ground") : Refers to
tarantulas and Tit'xka that live on the ground.

Trochanter : The flexible segment between the femur and coxa that gives the
legs their range of motion.

Vocalization Organs (tacetanq [taSta~x]) : These are the organs in the fifth
lung slit of the Tit'xka that allow them to produce sound.

Soon to come, Tit'xka worship, along with a lot of new terminology.