The Opiliones are an order of arachnids, colloquially known as harvestmen, harvesters, harvest spiders, or daddy longlegs. As of July 2024, over 6,650 species of harvestmen have been discovered worldwide, although the total number of extant species may exceed 10,000. The order Opiliones includes five suborders: Cyphophthalmi, Eupnoi, Dyspnoi, Laniatores, and Tetrophthalmi, which were named in 2014.
Cosmetidae is a family of harvestmen in the suborder Laniatores. With over 700 species, it is one of the largest families in Opiliones. They are endemic of the New World with a Nearctic-Neotropical distribution where a large fraction of the diversity of Opiliones are represented by this single family. Cosmetidae have the northern extent of their range into the USA, where a small number species occur in the southern states. However, the family is especially diverse in Mexico, Central America and northern South America; especially the Andean realms. Their range also extends further south into Argentina and southern Brazil, but they are absent in Chile. Cosmetidae are prevalent in Amazonian region, but only relatively few also occur in Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Several species are also found in the Caribbean.
The Triaenonychidae are a family of harvestmen with about 120 genera and more than 440 described species.
The Pettalidae are a family of harvestmen with 75 described species in 10 genera. Several undescribed species are known or assumed in some genera.
Ischyropsalididae is a family of harvestmen with 35 described species in 3 genera, found in Europe and North America.
The Nemastomatidae are a family of harvestmen with about 170 described species in 16 recent genera. Several fossil species and genera are known.
Escadabiidae is a small neotropical family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with six described species.
The Travuniidae are a small family of harvestman with little more than ten described species, within the suborder Laniatores.
The Cladonychiidae are a small family of harvestman with about 33 described species, within the suborder Laniatores.
Stygnomma is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Stygnommatidae. There are more than 30 described species in Stygnomma.
Arbasus is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Cladonychiidae. There is one described species in Arbasus, A. caecus. It is found in the Pyrenees of southern France.
Holoscotolemon is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Cladonychiidae. There are about eight described species in Holoscotolemon, found in Europe.
Peltonychia is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Cladonychiidae. There are about nine described species in Peltonychia that are found in Europe.
Travunia is a genus of harvestman in the family Travuniidae. There are four described species in Travunia. They are found in caves in the southern Dinaric Karst region of Balkan Europe.
Algidia is a genus in the harvestman family Triaenonychidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and currently includes 7 species and several subspecies.
Triaenonychoidea is a superfamily of armoured harvestmen in the order Opiliones. There are 4 families and more than 440 described species in Triaenonychoidea.
Sorensenellinae is a subfamily of harvestmen in the family Triaenonychidae created by Ray Forster. It includes genera from New Zealand and South Africa, but later phylogenetic studies do not support the inclusion of the South African taxa. Egg guarding is reported in both New Zealand genera and appears to be an example of paternal care.
Sorensenella is a genus in the harvestman subfamily Sorensenellinae in the family Triaenonychidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and currently includes three species and several subspecies. Members of this genus have large pedipalps armed with strong spines. The pedipalps are larger in males.
Lomanellidae is a family of harvestmen. Species in this family are endemic to Australia.
