Suborder Dyspnoi

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Habitat · Remarks · Print References · Internet References

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Opiliones (Harvestmen)

Suborder Dyspnoi

Numbers

~ 280 species worldwide

Identification

A morphologically heterogeneous group of harvestmen. Legs longer than compact body, coloration typically black or grayish (unlike many Eupnoi which are often orange/brown). Pedipalps without capture spines or terminal claws.

Chelicerae with diaphanous teeth, but this feature is difficult to see without a high-magnification microscope.

Habitat

US + Canadian Dyspnoi are reclusive predators, almost always found in forested upland habitats under rocks and/or logs, in leaf litter, or in caves. Several taxa seem to have an affinity for stream-side or riparian habitats (e.g., Acuclavella, Appalachian Sabacon, Acropsopilio). Unlike Eupnoi, it is rare to find Dyspnoi species "exposed" or wandering on the surface. Find Dyspnoi by searching under rocks and/or logs, by sifting leaf litter, or by using a Berlese funnel.

Remarks

Dyspnoi is separated into 3 well-supported subgroups, including Ischyropsalidoidea, Troguloidea, and Acropsopilionoidea

Print References

Groh, S. & Giribet, G. (2015), Polyphyly of Caddoidea, reinstatement of the family Acropsopilionidae in Dyspnoi, and a revised classification system of Palpatores (Arachnida, Opiliones). Cladistics, 31: 277–290. doi:10.1111/cla.12087 (online PDF)

Gruber, J. 2007. Dyspnoi - Historical systematic synopsis. In: Pinto-da-Rocha, R., G. Machado, G. Giribet., eds. Harvestmen: the biology of Opiliones. Harvard University Press, Cambridge

Schönhofer AL. 2013. A taxonomic catalogue of the Dyspnoi Hansen and Sørensen, 1904 (Arachnida: Opiliones). Zootaxa 3679, 1-68. (online PDF)

Internet References

Dyspnoi Tree of Life

Contributed by marshal hedin on 20 June, 2016 - 10:19pm
Last updated 12 January, 2017 - 10:50am

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