Welcome to ATS Arthropads

What is Arthropads?

Those with an interest in arachnids and other arthropods know that good information can be difficult to find. There is often much in the way of beginner info and highly technical papers with little in between. They may see conflicts even in what the name of something should be. Those with specimens to identify often can do little other than post an image on various message boards and hope they get an answer they like.

Scientific researchers often have a hard time finding an impartial place to present their research or personal findings to other researchers or to the public. Many are frustrated with misinformation they see circulating in various arenas and would like a chance to address that. They also often have difficulty obtaining specimens or leads and less formal members are excellent sources of both. With the increasing treatment by various countries of fauna as intellectual property it may be that even scientists one day have difficulty accessing needed specimens and the captive breeding of hobbyists could provide a needed solution.

Finally, we recognize that every scientist needs another to follow in his or her footsteps, someone to whom to pass the torch. The ATS has been at least a part of the formative stage of multiple individuals who have gone on to make important contributions in the world beyond our walls that may be only beginning and we'd like to influence as many in such a positive manner as possible.

For this reason Arthropads was born. A bridge if you will, a balance of professional and amateur, to the betterment of both. 'Arthropod' is the phylum of animals containing most of those our members are most interested in and a 'Pad' is a place people like to hang out, hence 'Arthropads'.

Note: The Myriapoda section has been moved to it's own server. It can be located here.