Arachnids are arthropods in the class Arachnida of the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnida includes, among others, spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, camel spiders, whip spiders and vinegaroons.
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.
The chelicerae are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or as a type of pincers. Some chelicerae, such as those found on nearly all spiders, are hollow and contain venom glands, used to inject venom into prey or a perceived threat. Both pseudoscorpions and harvestmen have additional structures on their chelicerae that are used for grooming. In Paratrechalea, males and females have shown to have a chelicerae dimorphism, because the chelicerae is used as a mating signal for females.
The woodlouse spider is a species of spider that preys primarily upon woodlice. Other common names refer to variations on the common name of its prey, including woodlouse hunter, sowbug hunter, sowbug killer, pillbug hunter and slater spider.
The Eupnoi are a suborder of harvestmen, with more than 200 genera, and about 1,700 described species.
Cyphophthalmi is a suborder of harvestmen, colloquially known as mite harvestmen. Cyphophthalmi comprises 36 genera, and more than two hundred described species. The six families are currently grouped into three infraorders: the Boreophthalmi, Scopulophthalmi, and Sternophthalmi.
Mitopus morio is a species of harvestman arachnid belonging to the family Phalangiidae.
Phalangium opilio is a species of harvestman belonging to the family Phalangiidae.
Nipponopsalididae is a family of harvestmen with three described species in one genus, Nipponopsalis, which is found in East Asia.
The Cokendolpher cave harvestman, Texella cokendolpheri, is a species of cave-living harvestman native to Bexar County, Texas. The original common name, the Robber Baron Cave harvestman, stemmed from the cave which the harvestman inhabits. The scientific name and the current common name honor the prominent arachnologist, James Cokendolpher, who identified the species. T. cokendolpheri is one of twenty-eight species within the North American harvestman genus Texella. The first formal description of the harvestman took place in 1992 and the species’ listing under the Endangered Species Act followed eight years later. Current threats to the species include habitat loss and interactions with invasive fire ants.
Quindina albomarginis is a species of Neotropical harvestman in the order Opiliones. It is found in the tropical forests of Panama.
Asiolasma ailaoshan is a species of harvestman belonging to the family Nemastomatidae. It is endemic to Yunnan Province, China. It was initially described in the genus Cladolasma before being redefined within Asiolasma when that genus was newly described.
Pantopsalis is a genus of eleven species of harvestman in the family Neopilionidae. They are all endemic to New Zealand. Males of some species are notable for their enlarged chelicerae.
Forsteropsalis is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) endemic to New Zealand. Males of this genus have exaggerated chelicerae weapons used in male-male competition. Forsteropsalis are opportunistic omnivores that both capture live prey and scavenge dead animal matter. The diet includes various insects, arachnids, spiders, millipedes, amphipods, and annelid worms.
Pantopsalis cheliferoides is a species of Neopilionid harvestmen. This species was originally described by William Colenso and is endemic to New Zealand.
Pantopsalis listeri is a species of harvestman in the family Neopilionidae.
Forsteropsalis photophaga, also known as the glow-worm hunter, is a species of long-legged harvestman in the family Neopilionidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand, found in North Island caves in the vicinity of Waitomo. The name "photophaga" comes from their habit of feeding on the luminescent larvae, pupae, and adults of the New Zealand glow-worm Arachnocampa luminosa.
Prasmiola unica is the only member of the genus Prasmiola in the harvestman family Triaenonychidae. It is found near Wellington, New Zealand, and is known from a single specimen. The New Zealand Threat Classification System status for this species is 'nationally critical'.
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.
Sorensenella prehensor is a species in the endemic New Zealand genus Sorensenella described by Reginald Pocock in 1903. Ray Forster revised the genus Sorensenella in 1954. As well as the nominate subspecies, Sorensenella prehensor prehensor, added two other subspecies, S. prehensor nitida and S. prehensor obesa. This species is found from Auckland to North Cape in New Zealand's North Island.
