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Phalangium is a genus of harvestmen that occur mostly in the Old World. The best known species is Phalangium opilio , which is so common in many temperate regions that it is simply called "harvestman".
Description. Like other harvestmen, P. opilio have long, slender legs and a short, round body. Adult P. opilio have a body length of 3.5–9 mm (⁄8 – ⁄8 in). Males tend to have smaller bodies than females, but have noticeably larger pedipalps and chelicerae with prominent outgrowths (horns) on the dorsal side of the second segment.
The characteristics of the substratum have been summarized by Kallianiotis (1992) and are homogeneous across each of the depth zone. The first zone between 30 and 50 m depth is characterised by muddy sand covered by Caulerpa prolifera (Forskaal), Lamouroux.
Common harvestman. Scientific name: Phalangium opilio. The Common harvestman is familiar to us as the large, spindly spider-like creature that frequents gardens and houses. It predates on smaller invertebrates which it catches using hooks on the ends of its legs.
Overview and description. A male Phalangium opilio, showing the distinguishable long legs. Harvestment or opiliones comprise the order Opiliones in the class Arachnida in the subphylum Chelicerata of the phylum Arthropoda. Arachnida is a largely terrestrial group that also includes spiders, mites, ticks, and scorpions.
- Arachnida
- Arthropoda
- Animalia
- Dromopoda
The rapid emergence and utility of Phalangium opilio as a model for evolutionary developmental biology of arthropods serve as demonstrative evidence of a new area of study in Opiliones biology, made possible through transcriptomic data.
May 5, 2014 · We therefore investigated the developmental genetics of eye-associated outgrowths (ocularium and ozophores) in a member of Phalangida, Phalangium opilio. The appendage-patterning gene Distal-less ( Dll ) is commonly co-opted to pattern nonappendage outgrowths.
