Triangular Spider - Vonones

Opilione

possibly Vonones ornata? Compare with these. I'm not certain which species may be similar, though.

… Lynette Schimming, 7 April, 2008 - 9:13pm

Very close

the yellow "y" and legs are very similar. This one though had a completely triangular body. The "rump" end was completely flat across.

… Hope Martin, 7 April, 2008 - 10:02pm

Moved

I moved these to the genus level for now.

… Lynette Schimming, 28 April, 2008 - 10:59pm

Not a spider for sure...

This doesn't strike me as being a spider - the body is all wrong for an Araneid (which would have a distinct cephalothorax and abdomen). It looks more like a harvestman (Order Opiliones), members of which do have a single-piece-looking body, with a large cephalothorax joined to the abdomen with little constriction. They also have eyes mounted on tubercles, and a large dorsal shield which is clearly seen in this specimen.

… Stephen Luk, 7 April, 2008 - 12:19pm

So harvest men aren't "spiders"?

I had no idea! It definitely resembles a harvestman more than a regular spider. The triangular body is just so odd! I'll have a look under Opiliones...

… Hope Martin, 7 April, 2008 - 12:23pm

A common misconception.

Unlike spiders, the cephalothorax (the 'head', if you will) and the abdomen (the body) are fused.
They also have no fangs, having instead chelicera (pincheres) making them harmless to humans. :)

… Jonas Insinga, 7 April, 2008 - 3:33pm