Another Leggy Model ...

jezlee · #1 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 02:38 PM

I posted a Harvestman last week (http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ed-thingy.html) and the consensus seemed to be Leiobunum rotundum ... is this the other one mentioned (Phalangium opilio), or just a different coloured/marked version of L.rotundum?

naturelover · #2 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 02:46 PM

Hi jezz thats a funny looking critter you got there,cant say i have seen one of them befor.

jezlee · #3 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 03:03 PM

Hi, Naturelover! Yes, they are weird looking creatures, aren't they? Especially their two little eyes perched upon that turret on their heads ...

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 03:06 PM

Neither are Leiobunum rotundum.

This is Leiobunum rotundum
http://www.bioimages.org.uk/html/P6/P60898.php

You can see the distinctive black around the eyes, also the body texture and shape.

jezlee · #5 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Neither are Leiobunum rotundum.

This is Leiobunum rotundum
http://www.bioimages.org.uk/html/P6/P60898.php

You can see the distinctive black around the eyes, also the body texture and shape.

Thanks for that, Dogghound ... so any ideas on what they are?

Just done some research on t'Internet and found one called Opilio ravanea which looks mighty similar to my second one ...

Venger · #6 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 04:19 PM

Looks very similar to Opilio canestrinii, though I'm not sure if this is even in the UK - Opiliones aren't really my area, so thats a wild guess

jezlee · #7 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venger

Looks very similar to Opilio canestrinii, though I'm not sure if this is even in the UK - Opiliones aren't really my area, so thats a wild guess

Hi there, Venger! Thanks for the input ... what I need is a really good reference book ...

Pudding4brains · #8 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 05:21 PM

I'm with Venger on a likely O. canestrinii for the one in this thread (although quick to point out I don't really know the harvestmen well enough yet), and I would very much like to urge Dogghound to have a good look at Leiobunum females for comparison, as opposed to the male one he is linking to.

No.9 Spider · #9 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 05:40 PM

I couldn't hazard a guess on these. I used to collect them on spider field trips but gave up as their legs get tangled with one another. There are probably newer I.D. guides about than the one I have which will be outdated now, it's British Harvestmen by Sankey and Savory 1974!
I remember when working behind the scenes at Manchester Museum, I found a beautiful and small cabinet about 12 inches in height by about 8 inches wide and deep. It had about 20 or so beautifully made wooden fronted slide drawers and a glass in wood surround opening front. The cabinet was full of slides, every one containing a section of an Opilione species penis. It doesn't get much more bizarre than that. Anyone here collect them!

No.9 Spider

Dogghound · #10 (**permalink**) 29-01-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pudding4brains

I'm with Venger on a likely O. canestrinii for the one in this thread (although quick to point out I don't really know the harvestmen well enough yet), and I would very much like to urge Dogghound to have a good look at Leiobunum females for comparison, as opposed to the male one he is linking to.

I happy to learn pudding. So the two are shaped different? opilliones not a strong point of mine. Any other differences between the two?