Invertebrates (Inventory)/Harvestman

From LagWiki

The Harvestman field of the Invertebrates section is used to record any observation of harvestmen.

Although superficially similar to spiders, harvestmen are a distinct order that is not closely related to spiders. Harvestmen are arachnids and can be easily distinguished from even long-legged spiders by a single body region and a single pair of eyes. Spiders have a separate abdomen and multiple pairs of eyes. Harvestmen usually have extremely long legs.

Harvestmen are colloquially known as "daddy longlegs" or "granddaddy longlegs". They can be found, usually near the twilight areas, in moist, dark locations, often under ledges, breakdown or on the ceiling. They may appear in groups, in large numbers and masses. They may react to light and vibration. Those near the entrance may not be troglodytic, leaving the cave at night to feed. Deeper in the cave, more cave adapted forms may be found that are blind. Cave adapted harvestmen are usually found in very wet locations, deep in the cave.

See also

• Spiders

References

• Romero, Aldemaro (2009) Cave Biology; Life in Darkness Cambridge University Press, New York pp 102-104 ISBN-Hardback: 978-0-521-82846-8, ISBN-Paperback: 978-0-521-53553-3

Harvestman, Invertebrates

Harvestman (note the cricket, left)

A large group of Harvestmen

Invertebrates (Inventory)/Harvestman is a part of the cave inventory project.