Briggsus
Özdikmen & Demir, 2008
Briggsus is a of armored harvestmen (Opiliones) in the Cladonychiidae. The genus contains five described , all originally described by Briggs in 1971 and later transferred to this genus by Özdikmen & Demir in 2008. Species in this genus are restricted to coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Briggsus: //ˈbrɪɡ.səs//
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Identification
As armored harvestmen in the Cladonychiidae, members of Briggsus possess hardened body structures characteristic of this family. The five are distinguished by specific morphological features reflected in their species epithets: bilobatus (two-lobed), clavatus (club-shaped), flavescens (yellowish), hamatus (hooked), and pacificus (Pacific).
Habitat
Coastal forests of Oregon and Washington.
Distribution
Restricted to the Pacific Northwest of North America, specifically coastal forests of Oregon and Washington.
Similar Taxa
- Other Cladonychiidae generaShare -level characteristics of armored body ; specific distinguishing features for Briggsus require examination of and original descriptions.
More Details
Taxonomic History
All five were originally described by Briggs in 1971 under different generic placements. Özdikmen & Demir established the Briggsus in 2008, presumably to accommodate these species based on shared derived characteristics. The genus name honors the original describer, Briggs.
Species List
Briggsus bilobatus (Briggs, 1971); Briggsus clavatus (Briggs, 1971); Briggsus flavescens (Briggs, 1971); Briggsus hamatus (Briggs, 1971); Briggsus pacificus (Briggs, 1971)