| Biantidae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Opiliones |
| Suborder: | Laniatores |
| Infraorder: | Grassatores |
| Superfamily: | Samooidea |
| Family: | Biantidae Thorell, 1889 |
| Genera | |
See text for list | |
| Diversity | |
| c. 30 genera, c. 130 species | |
Biantidae is a family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with about 130 described species. [1]
Biantidae are between 1.5 and 5.5 millimeters long, with legs ranging from three to 25 mm and enlarged, armed pedipalps. Many species are mahogany, many others yellow with dark mottling. [1]
Biantidae have radiated greatly on the Indian subcontinent and Madagascar (which was once connected to India), with many other species from mainland Africa. One subfamily however, the Stenostygninae, is found on the West Indies, with one described species from mainland northern South America. [1]
Biantidae are included in the superfamily Samooidea, which mainly radiated in South America. [1]
The type genus is named after Biantes, the son of Parthenopaeus, one of the Epigoni who marched against Thebes in Greek mythology. [1]
For a list of all described species, see the List of Biantidae species.
The Phalangiidae are a family of harvestmen with about 380 known species. The best known is Phalangium opilio. Dicranopalpus ramosus is an invasive species in Europe.
The Phalangodidae are a family of harvestmen with about 30 genera and more than 100 described species, distributed in the Holarctic region.
The Triaenonychidae are a family of harvestmen with about 120 genera and more than 440 described species.
The Neopilionidae are a family of harvestmen.
Trogulidae is a family of harvestmen comprising 65 extant species in five genera.
The Nemastomatidae are a family of harvestmen with about 170 described species in 16 recent genera. Several fossil species and genera are known.
Epedanidae is a family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with about 200 described species. They are the sister group of the Gonyleptoidea.
Assamiidae are a family of harvestmen with more than 400 described species. It is the third most diverse family of the suborder Laniatores.
The Stygnopsidae are a small family of harvestmen, with almost all species found in Mexico.
Agoristenidae are a neotropical harvestman family of the Suborder Laniatores, in the superfamily Gonyleptoidea.
Kimulidae is a small neotropical family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with about thirty described species.
Stygnommatidae is a small neotropical family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with about thirty described species.
Samoidae is a family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with about fifty described species.
Podoctidae is a family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with about 130 described species.
The Travuniidae are a small family of harvestman with little more than ten described species, within the suborder Laniatores.
Platybunus is a genus of harvestmen in the family Phalangiidae.