Venomless

Guides

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.
arachnid harvestman daddy-longlegs ancient-lineage omnivore nocturnal gregarious cave-dwelling paternal-care chemical-defense autotomy model-organism conservation-concern venomless tracheal-respiration direct-copulation short-range-endemic troglobite aposematic crypsis mimicry thanatosis viscoelastic-adhesive anurophagy vertebrate-predator