Species: Harvestman - unnamed 3 (Leiobunum rotundum)
Family: Harvestmen (SCLEROSOMATIDAE)
Category: Arachnids
Location: NE
A. Arachnids
More extensive information on arachnids can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Harvestmen (SCLEROSOMATIDAE)
The Sclerosomatidae are a family of harvestmen (sometimes known as harvesters or daddy longlegs). They are arachnids. Wikipedia says that there were about 1,300 known species of this particular family of harvestmen worldwide. The name combines two Greek words, skleros (meaning "hard") and soma (meaning "body").
These creatures exist on all continents except Antarctica, and have been found in the fossil record dating back 400 million years. Many harvestmen are omnivores that eat plant material and other insects. Many are scavengers. As carnivores, they ambush their prey, with their legs being of more use than their eyes.
C. Harvestman - unnamed 3 (Leiobunum rotundum)
Leiobunum rotundum is a small harvestman with a round body with no obvious separation between head and abdomen. Males have a body length of perhaps 3mm, whereas females are 5mm to 7mm in length. Legs can be 50mm long.
This species can be found throughout Britain, and is considered to be newly introduced to Canada and the United States. It seems to prefer damp habitats, and matures into adulthood from late July to November.
Images
Harvestman - unnamed 3 (Leiobunum rotundum)
Leiobunum rotundum is a small harvestman with a round body with no obvious separation between head and abdomen. The white mark on this individual's abdomen is a smudge picked up from its environment, not part of its natural markings.
