Suborder Cyphophthalmi - Mite harvestmen

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Range · Habitat · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

harvestman #6 voucher image - Siro boyerae

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Order Opiliones (Harvestmen)

Suborder Cyphophthalmi (Mite harvestmen)

Numbers

11 spp. in 2 families in US & Canada (1):

Family Neogoveidae

Metasiro americanus, M. sassafrasensis, M. savannahensis

Family Sironidae

Siro acaroides, S. boyerae, S. calaveras, S. clousi, S. exilis, S. kamiakensis, S. shasta, S. sonoma

~200 spp. in 6 families worldwide(2)

Identification

Mite harvestmen are not likely to be confused with other US + Canada Opiliones, but because of their small size and appearance, can be mistaken for some mites. Look for the distinctive ozophores (anterolateral knob-like structures on cephalothorax, with openings to defensive glands).

Range

western US - Siro

Appalachians (Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia) - Siro exilis

southeastern US - Metasiro

Habitat

Rarely encountered & collected unless specifically targeted. A productive means of collection is to sift leaf litter, using either a mesh sifter or litter concentrator. Forested upland habitats are promising places to search.

Print References

Shear WA. 1980. A review of the Cyphophthalmi of the United States and Mexico, with a proposed reclassification of the suborder (Arachnida, Opiliones). American Museum Novitates, 2705, 1–34. (online PDF)

Giribet G & WA Shear. 2010. The genus Siro Latreille, 1796 (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Sironidae), in North America with a phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data and the description of four new species. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 160(1), 1-33. (online PDF)

Clouse RM & WC Wheeler. 2014. Descriptions of two new, cryptic species of Metasiro (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi: Neogoveidae) from South Carolina, USA, including a discussion of mitochondrial mutation rates. Zootaxa, 3814(2), 177–201. (online PDF)

Internet References

Cyphophthalmi Checklist

Works Cited

1.	Cyphophthalmi Checklist Giribet, Gonzalo. 2000. Revista Ibérica de Aracnología.

2.	Kury A.B. (-2014) Classification of Opiliones

Contributed by Charles D. R. Stephen on 18 February, 2009 - 8:03pm
Additional contributions by Eric C. Maxwell, v belov, mhedin, DerekHennen
Last updated 20 December, 2021 - 9:03pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version