The Epedanidae are endemic to Asia. The subfamily Dibuninae forms the predominant harvestman fauna of the Philippines. The other three subfamilies are more predominant in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, and some are found in Myanmar and Nepal. Some species occur outside this region, in India, China, Vietnam and Japan.[1] One species is even endemic to New Guinea.[2] The oldest fossils of the family are known from the Cenomanian aged Burmese amber of Myanmar.[3]
Description
The body size ranges from two to five millimeters, with thin legs ranging from six to 26mm. The chelicerae are heavy with strong teeth in both fingers. The pedipalps are long and strong, with powerful spines lining the inside of the claw. Most species are light brown with few black mottling. Some species possess white patches on the scutum. The pedipalps are much more heavily spined in males, together with a swollen cheliceral hand.[1]
Name
The type genus Epedanus is derived from Ancient Greekepedanos "weak, feeble".
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