Phalangodidae | |
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Bishopella laciniosa | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Opiliones |
Suborder: | Laniatores |
Infraorder: | Grassatores |
Superfamily: | Phalangodoidea |
Family: | Phalangodidae Simon, 1879 |
Synonyms | |
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The Phalangodidae are a family of harvestmen with about 30 genera and more than 100 described species, distributed in the Holarctic region.
It is not to be confused with the harvestman family Phalangiidae, which is in the suborder Eupnoi.
The name of the type genus Phalangodes is derived from Ancient Greek φάλαγξ ( phalanx ), a line of soldiers in formation. This probably refers to the rows of pedipalpal spines. [1]
Body length ranges from less than 1 mm to about 3 mm (0.12 in). The pedipalps are armed with large spines. While some species have legs eight times the body length, others have shorter legs around twice the body length. Most species are yellowish to orange brown. Troglobitic (cave-dwelling) species are depigmented. [1]
More than two-thirds of the species occur in the western Nearctic, especially in California] with about 50 species in four endemic genera. About 10 species are known from the eastern Nearctic. Few occur in the Palearctic, with one species each in the Canary Islands and Japan, and about 20 species in the Mediterranean region. [1]
The family seems to be largely monophyletic, with the exceptions of a few genera such as Guerrobunus and Glennhuntia. Although the relationship of the Phalangodidae to other Grassatores is currently unresolved, the family seems relatively basal inside the Grassatores. [1]
The family Phalangodidae contains these genera: [2] [3]
Data sources: i = ITIS, [4] c = Catalogue of Life, [5] g = GBIF, [6] b = Bugguide.net [7]
The Opiliones are an order of arachnids colloquially known as harvestmen, harvesters, harvest spiders, or daddy longlegs. As of April 2017, 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.
Laniatores is the largest suborder of the arachnid order Opiliones with over 4,200 described species worldwide. The majority of the species are highly dependent on humid environments and usually correlated with tropical and temperate forest habitats.
The Triaenonychidae are a family of harvestmen with about 120 genera and more than 440 described species.
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.
The Stygnopsidae are a small family of harvestmen, with almost all species found in Mexico.
Kimulidae is a small neotropical family of the harvestman infraorder Grassatores with about thirty described species.
The Cladonychiidae are a small family of harvestman with about 33 described species, within the suborder Laniatores.
Metopilio is a genus of harvestmen in the family Globipedidae from Mexico and Central America.
Protolophus is a genus of harvestmen in the family Protolophidae from the Western US.
Sitalcina is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Phalangodidae. There are about 10 described species in Sitalcina.
Texella bifurcata is a species of armoured harvestman in the family Phalangodidae. It is found in North America.
Texella is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Phalangodidae. There are more than 20 described species in Texella.
Zuma is a genus of harvestman in the family Paranonychidae. There are at least two described species in Zuma, found in central and northern California.
Enigmina is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Phalangodidae. There are at least two described species in Enigmina.
Crosbyella is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Phalangodidae. There are about five described species in Crosbyella.
Megacina is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Phalangodidae. There are at least four described species in Megacina.
Calicina is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Phalangodidae. There are more than 20 described species in Calicina.