Seven legged spider for ID please

[DaveGray]

I have been having a clear out of SD cards and wondered if someone could ID this spider for me.



It's missing a leg and I know some insects have great regrowth abilities when they loose limbs - will this grow back ?

thanks,

Dave.

[faz]

ita harvestman close relative of spiders welcome to WAB

[MattPrince]

As Faz said it is a harvestman or opilione, one key difference from a spider, when viewed closely, is the fused "one part" body.

It looks like phalangium opilio to me, though to be absolutely certain you need to check small characters, tiny projections and teeth on tarsal claws and the like.

Its not unusual for harvestmen to shed legs when escaping predators, I don't think they grow back either.

[wilippa]

Apparently, a harvestman's shed leg continues to twitch for some time after being shed, presumably to distract a predator long enough for the harvestman to get away. However, I have never seen this myself (not having been a child of the "pulling legs off invertebrates" type) and actually don't know whether it's true of all species of opiliones,

[Geoff F]

This site will tell you a bit more about harvestmen. Opiliones

Positive identification from your photo is going to be difficult. It does look interesting though.

The legs seem too long for my first thought of Oligolophus species. But it is rather dark for any of the longer legged species which I can think of.

I suppose it could be a dark Leiobunum species female or even Opilio parietinus but we need to see some very close shots of the body to give any firm suggestions. Accurate lengths of the body and second legs would also help.

Like spiders, any lost legs when adult are permanently lost. I have found them with only one leg on one side and three on the other.

[DaveGray]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I can see I'm going to need a decent macro lens - I knew there were loads of 'unseen' insects out there - now I'm looking for them I'm clearly going to need to pay more attention to the details. Also thank you for the site link Geoff, loads of details on there.

[Geoff F]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I can see I'm going to need a decent macro lens

It usually starts out innocently like that Dave; then 'macro fever' strikes and you keep needing better equipment.

I started out by simply adding an extension tube to my zoom. And ended up with 180 mm macro lens plus 1.4x converter, and better tripod, external flash unit. To say nothing of all those identification books.

It's not too late to turn away now; remember 'Macro photography is addictive and will seriously damage your wealth'.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by DaveGray

Thanks everyone for the replies, I can see I'm going to need a decent macro lens - I knew there were loads of 'unseen' insects out there - now I'm looking for them I'm clearly going to need to pay more attention to the details. Also thank you for the site link Geoff, loads of details on there.

Oh dear, it is like seeing an innocent child unscrewing the top of a bottle of Vodka when it is thirsty! Take care before you put your foot to this path.

Mind you, the end point will be more interesting to others and won't leave you with a shocking headache (as far as I know).

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by DaveGray

Thanks everyone for the replies, I can see I'm going to need a decent macro lens - I knew there were loads of 'unseen' insects out there - now I'm looking for them I'm clearly going to need to pay more attention to the details. Also thank you for the site link Geoff, loads of details on there.

A microscope would be much cheaper, and would identify a lot more. Consider beating-trays for finding truly 'unseen' insects.