Morphological structure of Dysdera crocata's venom gland C.L Koch, 1838 spider species with scanning electron microscope (Arachnida: Araneae)

In this study, morphological structure of the venom apparatus of Dysdera crocata C.L Koch, 1838 was studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Venom apparatus situated in the prosoma is composed of a pair of chelicerae and venom glands. Each chelicera consists of two parts, a stout basal part covered by hair, and a movable venom fang. A venom pore is situated on subterminal part of the fang. There are parallel grooves at out surface of the venom fang. Just below the venom fang, there is a chelicera groove next to the teeth. Each side of the groove is covered with cuticular teeth. Venom glands are cylindrical. Each gland is surrounded by completely striated muscular fibers. The venom produced in the venom glands by contraction of these muscular fibers is ejected into the venom fang through a canal, and is thrown out by the venom pore.