Opiliones
Guides
Microcina
Microcina is a genus of harvestmen (order Opiliones) in the family Phalangodidae, described by Briggs and Ubick in 1989. It belongs to the infraorder Grassatores, a group of Laniatores characterized by relatively long legs and often cryptic habits. Species in this genus are found in western North America, particularly in California. The genus is part of the diverse phalangodid radiation in the region.
Mitopus
Mitopus is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Phalangiidae, established by Thorell in 1876. The genus contains nine described species distributed across northern regions including Europe, Asia, and North America. Mitopus morio, the type species, has been subject to detailed anatomical studies including ultrastructural analysis of its photoreceptors.
Nemastomatidae
Nemastomatid Harvestmen
The Nemastomatidae are a family of harvestmen (Opiliones: Dyspnoi) comprising approximately 170 described species in 16 extant genera. The family is divided into two subfamilies with disjunct distributions: Nemastomatinae in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, and Ortholasmatinae in western North America and eastern Asia. Members are characterized by variable body size (1–6 mm) and often possess elongated, thread-like pedipalps. The family is monophyletic and likely sister to the Dicranolasmatidae and Trogulidae.
Odiellus pictus
Painted Harvestman
Odiellus pictus is a species of harvestman in the family Phalangiidae, commonly known as the Painted Harvestman. It is native to North America, with documented occurrences in the northeastern United States including Vermont and Maine. The species was first described by Wood in 1868. As a member of the Phalangiidae family, it belongs to a group of long-legged arachnids that are often mistaken for spiders but are distinct in their fused body structure and single pair of eyes.
Ortholasma
Ortholasma is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Nemastomatidae, containing five described species. The genus was established by Banks in 1894 and has been revised by Shear (2010). It is the type genus of the subfamily Ortholasmatinae. Species in this genus are small-bodied, short-legged dyspnoan harvestmen found in western North America.
Ortholasma rugosum
Ortholasma rugosum is a species of harvestman (Opiliones) in the family Nemastomatidae, first described by Banks in 1894. It is found in North America and is one of approximately 163 observed records according to iNaturalist data. The genus Ortholasma belongs to the subfamily Ortholasmatinae, a group of small-bodied harvestmen characterized by distinctive morphological features.
Oskoron
A genus of harvestmen in the family Taracidae, established by Shear in 2016. It was erected to accommodate O. spinosus, transferred from Taracus where it had been placed by Banks in 1894, along with two newly described species from the Pacific Northwest. The genus is distinguished from Taracus by cheliceral morphology.
Oskoron spinosus
Oskoron spinosus is a harvestman (order Opiliones) and the type species of the genus Oskoron, established to accommodate this species and two close relatives distinct from the genus Taracus. Originally described as Taracus spinosus by Banks in 1894, it was later treated as Taracus malkini before being synonymized and transferred to the new genus Oskoron. It belongs to the family Taracidae within the superfamily Ischyropsalidoidea.
Paranonychidae
Paranonychid Harvestmen
Paranonychidae is a family of armored harvestmen (Opiliones) containing 9 genera and at least 28 described species. The family was established by Briggs in 1971 and is classified within the superfamily Travunioidea. Members are characterized by heavily sclerotized body armor, an adaptation that distinguishes them from many other harvestman families. The family has a predominantly Pacific Rim distribution, with genera found in Japan, western North America, and other regions.
Paranonychus
Paranonychus is a genus of harvestmen (order Opiliones) established by Briggs in 1971. The genus contains three described species with a disjunct distribution: two species occur in the Pacific Northwest of North America, while one species is found in northern Japan. The genus is the namesake of the family Paranonychidae, which belongs to the superfamily Travunioidea. The Japanese species, P. fuscus, was originally described in a separate genus as Mutsunonychus fuscus before being transferred to Paranonychus.
Paranonychus brunneus
armoured harvestman
Paranonychus brunneus is an armoured harvestman (Order Opiliones) in the family Paranonychidae. The species was originally described as Sclerobunus brunneus by Banks in 1893 and later transferred to Paranonychus. It is found in western North America, with records from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. The species belongs to the suborder Laniatores, characterized by relatively short legs and heavily sclerotized body armor.
Paroligolophus agrestis
harvestman, harvester
Paroligolophus agrestis is a small harvestman species native to Europe, including the United Kingdom. It has been introduced to North America, where established populations occur in the Pacific Northwest and Nova Scotia. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism in body size and possesses distinctive morphological features useful for identification.
Phalangiidae
Phalangiid Harvestmen, Harvestmen
A family of harvestmen (Opiliones: Eupnoi) containing approximately 380 described species. The family includes the widespread and well-studied Phalangium opilio, one of the most recognizable harvestmen in temperate regions. Members are characterized by long, slender legs and a fused body lacking the narrow waist seen in spiders. The family has a primarily Holarctic distribution with some representation in Africa and other regions.
Phalangodes armata
Phalangodes armata is a species of harvestman (order Opiliones, suborder Laniatores) in the family Phalangodidae, described by Tellkampf in 1844. It belongs to the infraorder Grassatores, a diverse group of short-legged harvestmen characterized by their compact body form and often cryptic habits. As a member of the superfamily Phalangodoidea, this species represents one of the more derived lineages within the harvestmen, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Phalangodidae
Phalangodid Harvestmen
Phalangodidae is a family of small harvestmen in the suborder Laniatores, containing approximately 30 genera and more than 100 described species. Members are characterized by pedipalps armed with prominent spines and body lengths generally under 3 mm. The family is primarily distributed in the Holarctic region, with exceptional diversity in the western Nearctic, particularly California. Several species, especially in the genus Texella, are obligate cave-dwellers exhibiting troglomorphic traits such as depigmentation and reduced eyes.
Protolophidae
Protolophid Harvestmen
Protolophidae is a family of harvestmen (order Opiliones) containing approximately six described species within the single genus Protolophus. The family is restricted to Western North America. Its taxonomic status remains unsettled; while traditionally recognized as a distinct family, some recent treatments have subsumed it within Sclerosomatidae.
Protolophus
Protolophus is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Protolophidae, distributed in the western United States. The genus was established by Banks in 1893 and contains eight extant species plus one fossil species from Baltic amber. The family's taxonomic status remains contested, with some treatments recognizing Protolophidae as distinct and others subsuming it within Sclerosomatidae.
Protolophus tuberculatus
Protolophus tuberculatus is a species of harvestman (order Opiliones) in the family Protolophidae, first described by Banks in 1893. It is found in the western United States and broader North America. As a member of the Protolophidae, it represents one of the relatively small families within the suborder Eupnoi. The specific epithet "tuberculatus" refers to tuberculate (bumpy or knobby) features, likely on the body surface.
Rilaena
Rilaena is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Phalangiidae, established by Šilhavý in 1965. The genus includes approximately 13 described species distributed across Europe and western Asia. The most common and widespread species is Rilaena triangularis, which has been subject to taxonomic debate regarding its placement in the genus Paraplatybunus. The genus is characterized by morphological features typical of the subfamily Phalangiinae.
Sabaconidae
sabaconid harvestmen
Sabaconidae is a family of harvestmen (Opiliones: Dyspnoi) comprising approximately 50 described species. The family exhibits a disjunct distribution spanning eastern North America and temperate Eurasia, with notable diversity in the southern Appalachian Mountains and the Altai Mountains of Russia. Species-level taxonomy within the family has been complicated by cryptic diversification, particularly in widespread species such as Sabacon cavicolens, which shows evidence of multiple allopatric lineages separated by vicariance and rare long-distance dispersal events.
Sclerobunus idahoensis
Sclerobunus idahoensis is a species of armoured harvestman (order Opiliones) described by Briggs in 1971. Originally described as a subspecies of Sclerobunus robustus, it has since been elevated to full species status. The species belongs to the family Paranonychidae within the suborder Laniatores, a group characterized by heavily sclerotized body armor. It is known from North America, with the specific epithet suggesting an association with Idaho.
Sclerobunus robustus
Sclerobunus robustus is a montane-restricted harvestman species occurring in the southwestern United States. A 2014 taxonomic revision elevated two former subspecies (S. glorietus and S. idahoensis) to full species status. Population genomic research has identified multiple Pliocene-era refugia in the Southern Rocky Mountains and Intermontane Plateau, with genetically distinct clades showing patterns of isolation by distance in continuous mountain habitats and isolation by environment in isolated sky island populations.
Sclerosomatidae
Sclerosomatid Harvestmen
Sclerosomatidae is a large family of harvestmen (Opiliones) comprising approximately 1,300 described species. The family is characterized by a hardened body structure, reflected in its name derived from Greek skleros ('hard') and soma ('body'). Members exhibit the classic 'daddy long legs' morphology with small, rounded bodies and long, slender legs. The family includes several subfamilies—Gagrellinae, Gyantinae, Leiobuninae, and Sclerosomatinae—distributed across diverse habitats worldwide. Some species display iridescent metallic coloration, particularly in tropical lineages. A former subfamily has been removed to form the separate family Globipedidae.
Siro
harvestmen
Siro is a genus of cyphophthalmid harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Sironidae. These small arachnids are characterized by their eyeless condition, elongated bodies, and association with moist microhabitats. The genus was established by Latreille in 1795 and represents one of the early-recognized lineages of the suborder Cyphophthalmi, which diverged from other harvestmen early in the evolutionary history of the order. Species in this genus are distributed primarily in the Mediterranean region and parts of Europe.
Siro kamiakensis
Siro kamiakensis is a species of mite harvestman, a small arachnid in the family Sironidae. It was described by Newell in 1943 and is currently classified under the genus Neosiro, though it was historically placed in Siro. The species is found in North America, with records from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
Siro sonoma
Siro sonoma is a species of mite harvestman in the family Sironidae. It was originally described by Shear in 1980 and placed in the genus Siro. In 2022, the genus Arhesiro was erected to accommodate this species and Siro clousi, with S. sonoma becoming Arhesiro sonoma. As of 2023, taxonomic sources vary in their treatment, with some recognizing Arhesiro sonoma as the accepted name while others retain Siro sonoma. The species is known only from Sonoma County, California.
Sironidae
Sironid Harvestmen
Sironidae is a family of Cyphophthalmi harvestmen comprising more than 60 described species. It was the first described family of the suborder Cyphophthalmi and remains among the least understood phylogenetically. The family exhibits a predominantly Laurasian distribution, with species concentrated in temperate Europe and the west coast of North America. Monophyly of the family is poorly supported with traditional molecular markers; the Mediterranean genus Parasiro and Japanese genus Suzukielus sometimes branch basally relative to other sironids.
Sitalcina californica
Sitalcina californica is a species of armoured harvestman in the family Phalangodidae, first described by Banks in 1893. Originally placed in the genus Sitalces, it was later transferred to Sitalcina. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its ecology and biology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Sitalcina seca
Sitalcina seca is a species of armoured harvestman described by Ubick & Briggs in 2008. It belongs to the family Phalangodidae, a group of small, often cave-dwelling or soil-associated harvestmen characterized by compact bodies and reduced eyes. The species is known from North America. As with many phalangodid harvestmen, detailed biological information remains limited.
Sitalcina sura
armoured harvestman
Sitalcina sura is a species of armoured harvestman in the family Phalangodidae, described by Briggs in 1968. It belongs to the suborder Laniatores, a diverse group of harvestmen characterized by relatively short legs and often heavily armoured bodies. The species is known to occur in North America. As with many phalangodid harvestmen, detailed ecological and behavioral information remains limited in published literature.
Speleonychia
Speleonychia is a genus of armoured harvestmen (Opiliones: Laniatores) in the family Cladonychiidae, established by Briggs in 1974. The genus contains at least one described species, S. sengeri, which is endemic to Washington state in the northwestern United States. As a member of the Travunioidea superfamily, it belongs to a group of small, often cryptic harvestmen associated with moist microhabitats. The genus name suggests a cave-associated or subterranean lifestyle, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Stygnomma spiniferum
armoured harvestman
Stygnomma spiniferum is an armoured harvestman in the family Stygnommatidae, first described by Packard in 1888. The species is endemic to North America. Three subspecies have been recognized: S. s. spiniferum, S. s. bolivari, and S. s. tancahense, though the taxonomic status of these subspecies varies across sources. As a member of the Laniatores, it possesses raptorial pedipalps adapted for predation.
Taracidae
Taracid Harvestmen
Taracidae is a family of harvestmen (Opiliones) established by Schönhofer in 2013, containing four genera and 23 described species. The family includes the genera Taracus, Oskoron, Hesperonemastoma, and Crosbycus, though the placement of the latter two remains taxonomically disputed. Members are primarily distributed in western North America, with some species exhibiting troglomorphic adaptations suggesting cave-dwelling habits.
Taracus carmanah
Taracus carmanah is a species of harvestman (Opiliones: Ischyropsalidoidea: Taracidae) described in 2016 from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The species name refers to Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, a protected old-growth forest area on southwestern Vancouver Island. It was described as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Taracus, which included redescription of all previously named species and description of eight new species across western North America.
Taracus packardi
Taracus packardi is a species of harvestman (Opiliones) in the family Taracidae. First described by Simon in 1879, this species occurs in North America. The taxon was revised in 2016, with Taracus nigripes Goodnight & Goodnight, 1943 synonymized with T. packardi.
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.
Taracus spesavius
Taracus spesavius is a harvestman species described in 2016 from Nevada, United States. It belongs to the family Taracidae, a group of small to medium-sized ischyropsalidoid harvestmen found in western North America. The species was established during a comprehensive revision of the genus Taracus that expanded the known distribution of the genus to include Nevada and several other western states and Canadian provinces.
Taracus taylori
Taracus taylori is a species of harvestman (Opiliones: Taracidae) described from Nevada in 2016. It belongs to the genus Taracus, a group of ischyropsalidoid harvestmen found in western North America. The species was established during a comprehensive revision of the genus that redescribed all previously named species and described multiple new species.
Taracus ubicki
A small harvestman species in the family Taracidae, described from California in 2016 as part of a major revision of the genus Taracus. The species is one of eight new Taracus species described in that work, expanding known diversity in western North American ischyropsalidoid harvestmen.
Texella bifurcata
Texella bifurcata is an armoured harvestman (order Opiliones) in the family Phalangodidae, described by Briggs in 1968. The species is known from North America. Like other members of the genus Texella, it belongs to the suborder Laniatores, characterized by relatively short legs and often cryptic habits. Very few specific details about its biology have been documented in accessible literature.
Theromaster
armoured harvestmen
Theromaster is a genus of armoured harvestmen (Opiliones) established by Briggs in 1969. The genus contains at least two described species: Theromaster archeri and Theromaster brunneus. Members of this genus are found in the eastern United States. Theromaster belongs to the family Cladonychiidae, though some sources historically placed it in Travuniidae.
Trachyrhinus marmoratus
A species of harvestman in the family Sclerosomatidae, described by Banks in 1894. As with other harvestmen in the genus Trachyrhinus, it belongs to the order Opiliones—arachnids distinct from spiders that lack fangs, venom glands, and silk production. Members of this genus are known to employ chemical defenses through repugnatorial glands.
Travunioidea
travunioid harvestmen, armoured harvestmen
Travunioidea is a superfamily of armoured harvestmen (Opiliones: Laniatores) comprising four families and approximately 75-77 described species. It represents an early-diverging lineage within the suborder Laniatores, characterized by a Laurasian distribution spanning eastern Asia, eastern and western North America, and south-central Europe. Recent phylogenomic studies using ultraconserved elements (UCEs) have revised the classification, establishing the families Travuniidae, Cladonychiidae, Paranonychidae, and Cryptomastridae, while rejecting traditional tarsal claw-based taxonomy due to widespread homoplasy.
Trogulus
harvestmen
Trogulus is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Trogulidae, characterized by large, elongated and flattened bodies with relatively short legs. The genus contains the largest known harvestman by body length, Trogulus torosus. Species-level identification is difficult due to highly uniform external morphology across the genus, necessitating molecular and morphometric approaches for taxonomy. The genus exhibits unexpectedly high cryptic diversity, with molecular estimates suggesting three times more species than currently described.
Undulus
Undulus is a genus of armoured harvestmen (Opiliones: Laniatores) in the family Phalangodidae. The genus contains one described species, Undulus formosus, which was described from Limestone County, Alabama. The body length of the described species is 1.9 mm. The genus is characterized by armoured body morphology typical of the Phalangodidae family.
Wespus
Wespus is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Phalangodidae, established by Goodnight & Goodnight in 1942. It contains one described species, Wespus arkansasensis, known from Hot Springs, Arkansas. The genus belongs to the suborder Laniatores, a group of harvestmen characterized by robust bodies and raptorial pedipalps. Members are small, with the described species measuring approximately 2.2 mm in body length.
Zuma
harvestman
Zuma is a genus of harvestmen (arachnids in the order Opiliones) established by Goodnight & Goodnight in 1942. It belongs to the family Paranonychidae, a group of small, cryptic harvestmen often found in moist microhabitats. The genus is part of the diverse Laniatores suborder, characterized by relatively short legs and compact bodies compared to other harvestman groups.
Zuma acuta
Zuma acuta is a species of armoured harvestman in the family Paranonychidae. It is known from North America, with a specific record from Feramni Town, Michigan. As an armoured harvestman, it belongs to a group of Opiliones characterized by hardened body structures. The species was described by Goodnight & Goodnight in 1942.
Zuma tioga
Zuma tioga is an armoured harvestman (order Opiliones) described by Briggs in 1971. It belongs to the family Paranonychidae within the infraorder Insidiatores. The species is known from North America, though specific locality details beyond this broad region are not well documented. Like other members of its family, it is a small, soil-dwelling arachnid with a heavily sclerotized body.