Evolutionary and functional substitution of extrinsic musculature in Solifugae (Arachnida)

Abstract The locomotory system of Solifugae is distinct from that of other Arachnida in several ways. Only three pairs of legs are involved in locomotion, while the first pair function as sensory appendages. Morphologically, the proximal region of the locomotory system in Solifugae is characterized by fused coxae. Within the prosoma of Solifugae, an endosternite is missing: in other Arachnida, this endosternite serves as the proximal attachment site for a portion of the extrinsic musculature. How then do these skeletal modifications influence the muscular anatomy in the proximal region of the locomotory system? To answer this question, we studied the skeletomuscular anatomy of Galeodes granti at the interface between the prosoma and legs, reinvestigating the complex muscular anatomy of this body region for the first time in over 80 years and—for the first time—using detailed micro‐computed tomography scans to analyze the skeletomuscular morphology. Specimens of three further species were checked for comparison. The analysis revealed differences in the number and composition of coxa‐trochanter muscles in each of the four pairs of legs. These are compared in the light of serial homology. The comparison between the proximal locomotory system of Solifugae and that of other Arachnida unveils a series of analogies. Primarily, the coxa‐trochanter joint is the most proximal joint to move the leg relative to the prosoma. Therefore, we argue that from a morpho‐functional point of view, the coxa‐trochanter muscles in Solifugae should be considered secondary extrinsic musculature. Thus, the legs gain a stable, articulated joint in the most proximal region of the leg to the prosoma, which might be advantageous for agile locomotion.