Musicodamon

{{Speciesbox | image = Musicodamon atlanteus.jpg | genus = Musicodamon | parent_authority = Fage, 1939<ref name=GBIF>{{GBIF |title=''Musicodamon'' Fage, 1939 |id=2181362 |access-date=22 April 2026}}</ref> | species = atlanteus | authority = Fage, 1939<ref name=GBIF/> }}

'''''Musicodamon''''' is a [[genus]] of [[amblypygi]]d (whipspider) in the family [[Phrynichidae]]. It contains a single species, '''''Musicodamon atlanteus'''''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Blick |first1=Theo |last2=Seiter |first2=Michael |date=2016 |title=Whip spiders (Amblypygi, Arachnida) of the Western Palaearctic—a review |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307862570 |journal=Zootaxa |volume=4161 |issue=4 |pages=586–592 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4161.4.11 |pmid=27615955 |via=ResearchGate}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WAC - Amblypygi |url=https://wac.nmbe.ch/order/amblypygi/species/100 |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=wac.nmbe.ch}}</ref>

== Description == ''Musicodamon atlanteus'' is a large amblypygid''.'' It has only slight [[sexual dimorphism]] at most, according to specimens examined for a 2002 study.<ref name=":1" />

== Behavior == The [[Animal behaviour|behavior]] of ''Musicodamon atlanteus'' is unusual among amblypygi, with reduced courtship behavior and an unusual method of fighting other individuals.<ref name=":1" />

=== Courtship === Observed courtship in the previously mentioned 2002 study lasted only minutes, compared to the often hours long courtship in other species. Additionally, male ''M. atlanteus'' do not coordinate with the movements of the courted females, in contrast to the precise coordination of other species. Males also do not attempt to lure females towards the deposited [[spermatophore]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Weygoldt |first=Peter |date=2002b |title=Fighting, courtship, and spermatophore morphology of the whip spider Musicodamon atlanteus Fage, 1939 (Phrynichidae) (Chelicerata, Amblypygi) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0044523104700765 |journal=Zoologischer Anzeiger |volume=241 |issue=3 |pages=245–254 |doi=10.1078/0044-5231-00072 |via=ScienceDirect|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== Fighting === In most amblypygi, individuals use their [[Pedipalp|pedipalps]] in nonlethal contests of strength, after tapping one another with their antenniform legs. In ''M. atlanteus,'' however, the tapping phase is prolonged, and the third pair of legs are used as weapons rather than the pedipalps. Fights were never observed to escalate to greater levels of violence.<ref name=":1" />

== Distribution and habitat == ''Musicodamon atlanteus'' is found in [[Morocco]] and [[Algeria]]. It typically lives within [[cave]]s and rock fissures. Despite being found in [[Aridity|arid]] locations, ''M. atlanteus'' may retreat into microhabitats that are more [[Humidity|humid]].<ref name=":0" /> The species is sometimes found in human homes.<ref name=":1" /> It may be threatened by human activity, such as expansion of [[agriculture]] and river modification.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

[[Category:Monotypic arachnid genera]] [[Category:Taxa described in 1939]] [[Category:Amblypygi]]