Daddy-longlegs
Guides
Cryptomaster leviathan
Leviathan harvestman
Cryptomaster leviathan is a harvestman (opilionid arachnid) from southeastern Oregon, described in 1969. It is notable for its relatively large body size compared to other travunioid Laniatores, which inspired its name referencing the biblical Leviathan. The species was the sole member of its genus until the 2016 discovery of its congener C. behemoth. Populations show surprisingly low genetic divergence across an expanded range spanning multiple mountain ranges.
Dalquestia rugosa
Dalquestia rugosa is a species of harvestman (order Opiliones) first described by Schenkel in 1951. It belongs to the family Globipedidae, a group of long-legged arachnids commonly known as daddy longlegs. The species is recorded from North America, with specific locality data from San Diego. As with many harvestman species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Leiobunum crassipalpe
Leiobunum crassipalpe is a harvestman species in the family Sclerosomatidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1900. It belongs to a genus characterized by exceptionally long legs and elongated body forms. The species occurs in the south-central United States, where it inhabits wooded habitats. Males possess distinctive enlarged pedipalps that extend dorsally above the ocularium.
Leiobunum uxorium
Leiobunum uxorium is a harvestman species in the family Sclerosomatidae, described by Crosby and Bishop in 1924. It occurs in North America. As with other members of the genus Leiobunum, it possesses the characteristic long, slender legs typical of long-legged harvestmen (Palpatores). The species is part of a taxonomically challenging genus where precise identification often requires examination of subtle morphological features.
Leptobunus parvulus
Leptobunus parvulus is a species of harvestman (order Opiliones) in the family Phalangiidae. It is native to North America. The species was first described by Banks in 1894. As a harvestman, it is an arachnid but not a spider, lacking venom and silk glands.
Opilio
Opilio is a genus of harvestmen (order Opiliones, family Phalangiidae) containing over 60 described species. The genus name derives from Latin "opilio," meaning shepherd or sheep-master. These arachnids are characterized by long legs and a compact, oval body, with species distributed across the Holarctic region. The type species, Phalangium opilio, is a widespread synanthropic predator that has been introduced to North America and other regions.
Opiliones
harvestmen, harvesters, daddy longlegs, granddaddy longlegs, shepherd spiders
Opiliones is an ancient order of arachnids comprising over 6,650 described species, with estimates suggesting more than 10,000 extant species worldwide. The order includes five suborders: Cyphophthalmi, Eupnoi, Dyspnoi, Laniatores, and Tetrophthalmi. Fossil evidence from 410 million-year-old Devonian deposits demonstrates that harvestmen have remained morphologically conservative since their early evolution. Despite superficial resemblance to spiders, Opiliones represent a distinct arachnid lineage with unique anatomical and behavioral characteristics.
arachnidharvestmandaddy-longlegsancient-lineageomnivorenocturnalgregariouscave-dwellingpaternal-carechemical-defenseautotomymodel-organismconservation-concernvenomlesstracheal-respirationdirect-copulationshort-range-endemictroglobiteaposematiccrypsismimicrythanatosisviscoelastic-adhesiveanurophagyvertebrate-predatorPhalangioidea
harvestmen
Phalangioidea is a superfamily of harvestmen (order Opiliones) within the suborder Eupnoi, comprising five families and over 1,500 species. Members are characterized by relatively long legs, fused body regions (cephalothorax and abdomen not separated by a pedicel), and the absence of venom glands and silk production. The superfamily includes the common long-legged harvestmen frequently encountered in temperate regions. Phalangioidea is distinct from the similarly named Phalangodoidea, a superfamily within the suborder Laniatores.
Taracus silvestrii
Taracus silvestrii is a species of harvestman in the family Taracidae, described by Roewer in 1929. It belongs to the suborder Dyspnoi, a group of long-legged arachnids commonly known as harvestmen or daddy longlegs. Members of the genus Taracus are characterized by their elongated body form and exceptionally long, slender legs relative to body size. The species is known from limited collection records in North America.