Eumesosoma
Cokendolpher, 1980
Species Guides
2Eumesosoma is a of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the Sclerosomatidae, established by Cokendolpher in 1980. The genus contains six extant distributed across the United States, plus one fossil species from the Eocene. One species, Eumesosoma roeweri, has been studied for its antipredator freezing .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eumesosoma: /juːˌmɛsəˈsoʊmə/
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Distribution
United States. occur in Texas, Illinois, South Carolina, Florida, and the Central United States.
Diet
Eumesosoma roeweri has been observed to feed on Drosophila (fruit flies) in experimental conditions; general feeding habits for the are otherwise unknown.
Behavior
Eumesosoma roeweri exhibits freezing (death feigning) lasting 1-61 minutes when subjected to tactile stimulation. This behavior shows sensitization with repeated stimulation rather than . Frozen individuals display reduced responsiveness to both prey and . Freezing reduces detection by visual predators but increases vulnerability due to decreased vigilance.
More Details
Species list
Eumesosoma arnetti (Texas), Eumesosoma ephippiatum (Illinois), Eumesosoma nigrum (South Carolina), Eumesosoma ocalense (Florida), Eumesosoma roeweri (Central United States), Eumesosoma sayi (Florida), †Eumesosoma abdelmawlai (fossil, Eocene)
Fossil record
Eumesosoma abdelmawlai, described by Elsaka, Mitov & Dunlop in 2019, is known from Eocene deposits.