Armoured harvestmen

Laniatores

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Laniatores: //læˈniəˌtɔriːz//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Sclerobunus nondimorphicus morphology by Shahan Derkarabetian and Marshal Hedin. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Sclerobunus idahoensis Briggs, 1971 (SDSU TAC000005) by wikipedia. Used under a CC0 license.
Paranonychus brunneus 05 by Shahan Derkarabetian, James Starrett, Nobuo Tsurusaki, Darrell Ubick, Stephanie Castillo, Marshal Hedin. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Laniatores (10.3897-zookeys.760.24937) Figure 1 by All photos by MH, except D, E (courtesy of and copyright A. Schönhofer), and F (courtesy of and copyright I. Karaman) Derkarabetian S, Starrett J, Tsurusaki N, Ubick D, Castillo S, Hedin M (2018) A stable phylogenomic classification of Travunioidea (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores) based on sequence capture of ultraconserved elements. ZooKeys 760: 1-36. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.760.24937. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Phalangodes robusta Cavefaunaofnorthamerica by Alpheus Spring Packard. Used under a Public domain license.
Laniatores (10.3897-zookeys.760.24937) Figure 1 by All photos by MH, except D, E (courtesy of and copyright A. Schönhofer), and F (courtesy of and copyright I. Karaman) Derkarabetian S, Starrett J, Tsurusaki N, Ubick D, Castillo S, Hedin M (2018) A stable phylogenomic classification of Travunioidea (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores) based on sequence capture of ultraconserved elements. ZooKeys 760: 1-36. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.760.24937. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Laniatores is a diverse suborder of harvestmen known for their spiny pedipalps and reliance on humid, forested ecosystems. They include over 4,200 described species and exhibit a variety of reproductive behaviors and adaptations to their environments.

Physical Characteristics

Members of Laniatores have captures spines on all or most segments of the pedipalps, usually robust with strong spines. The dorsal scutum consists of a single piece, with the carapace or peltidium entirely fused with abdominal scutum. Most species have comparatively short legs, typically not much longer than the body.

Identification Tips

Look for a robust pedipalpus armed with strong spines, a short and unsegmented ovipositor, and a complex penis structure with many sclerites, some of which are movable.

Habitat

Forested habitats, including under rocks and logs, in leaf litter, and caves. They typically prefer humid environments, correlating with tropical and temperate forests.

Distribution

Widespread globally; centers of diversity include the western US and southern Appalachians. Various infraorders and superfamilies show specific geographic preferences, with Travunioidea typical of northern temperate regions and Triaenonychoidea in southern temperate regions.

Diet

Reclusive predators, typically feeding on small arthropods found in their habitats.

Life Cycle

Reproduce sexually through direct insemination. Females utilize an ovipositor to lay eggs.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs using an ovipositor; some Neotropical members exhibit postzygotic paternal care.

Ecosystem Role

Important predators in their ecosystems, helping control populations of other small invertebrates.

Collecting Methods

  • Searching under rocks and logs
  • Sifting leaf litter
  • Using a Berlese funnel

Evolution

Laniatores is the largest suborder of Opiliones, with ongoing debates on the definitions and limits of its superfamilies. Major evolutionary developments include the adaptations to humid environments and unique reproductive behaviors.

Tags

  • Arachnida
  • Opiliones
  • Laniatores
  • Harvestmen
  • Biodiversity