Superfamily: Triaenonychoidea
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The sixth largest family in the Order: Opilliones with 404 species as of January, 2024, the Family: Triaenonychidae is also the largest of the four families in the Superfamily: Triaenonychoidea. Species in this family are generally small with bodylengths between 3- 5 mm. The legs are shorter than that of most other Harvestmen in that even the longest second leg is not often more than 3.5x the bodylength . Colours vary from the usual orange-brown to nearly black. The fused head and body often carry spikes, in some species more than others. The strong and large pedipalps are commonly armed with numerous spikes as well giving some species a fearsome appearance despite their small stature.
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As with many other Harvestmen, identification between species of Triaenonychids is difficult and it is often accomplished only by comparison of the genitalia. Only eleven species are so far known from the Northern Rivers; by far the largest diversity of Triaenonychoid species can be found in Tasmania. No doubt there are others local species but, their small size and colouring make them difficult to spot among the leaf litter where many species usually find shelter. In Australia they are most often found during the warmer months of the year when food is plentiful and conditions are optimal for reproduction.
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Species have a tendency to be localised and it is worth noting that it is not at all common for two genera to be found on more than one continent. This would indicate that dispersion of the family had already occurred by the time Gondwanaland broke apart and that any further speciation creating most individual genera, did not happen until after the break up of Gondwana.
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Family: Triaenonychidae
Subfamily: Triaenobuninae
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Triaenobunus sp.
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Subfamily: Triaenonychinae
Cluniella distincta
Cluniella minuta
Cluniella ornata (possible occurrence)
Equitius montanus
Equitius richardsae
Equitius tambourineus
Unidentified Equitius sp.
L 170 - N.Lambert
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L 169 - N.Lambert
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L 172 - N.Lambert
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L 171 - N.Lambert
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Heteronuncia robusta
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Paranuncia sp. (possible occurrence)
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Taxonomy:
Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods)
> Subphylum: Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
> Class: Arachnida (Arachnids)
> Order: Opiliones (Harvestmen)
> Suborder: Laniatores (Armoured Harvestmen)
> Infraorder: Insidiatores
> Superfamily: Triaenonychoidea
> Family: Triaenonychidae (Triaenonychid Harvestmen)
> Subfamily: Triaenobuninae
> Genus: Triaenobunus
> Species: T. groomi
> Species: T. minutus ^
> Species: T. woodwardi *
> Subfamily: Triaenonychinae
> Genus: Cluniella
> Species: C. distincta
> Species: C. minuta
> Species: C. ornata ^
> Genus: Equitius
> Species: E. montanus
> Species: E. richardsae
> Species: E. tambourineus
> Genus: Heteronuncia
> Species: H. robusta
> Genus: Paranuncia ^
> Species: ?
* = likely
^ = possibly
References and links:
> Baker, C., Sheridan, K., Derkarabetian, S., Abel, P.G., Velez, S. and Giribet, G., (2020). 'Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the temperate Gondwanan family Triaenonychidae (Opiliones : Laniatores) reveals pre-Gondwanan regionalisation, common vicariance, and rare dispersal.' Invertebrate Systematics. 34. 10.1071/IS19069.
> Mendes, A., and Kury, A., (2008). 'Intercontinental Triaenonychidae. The case of Ceratomontia (Opiliones, Insidiatores).' Journal of Arachnology. 36. 273-279.
DOI:10.1636/CH07-93.1.
https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Triaenonychinae
https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/HDP
> Baker, C., Sheridan, K., Derkarabetian, S., Abel, P.G., Velez, S. and Giribet, G., (2020). 'Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the temperate Gondwanan family Triaenonychidae (Opiliones : Laniatores) reveals pre-Gondwanan regionalisation, common vicariance, and rare dispersal.' Invertebrate Systematics. 34. 10.1071/IS19069.
> Mendes, A., and Kury, A., (2008). 'Intercontinental Triaenonychidae. The case of Ceratomontia (Opiliones, Insidiatores).' Journal of Arachnology. 36. 273-279.
DOI:10.1636/CH07-93.1.
https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Triaenonychinae
https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/HDP
Photographic contributions:
Lambert, Nick. L 169 - L 170 - L 171 - L 172 - L 184 - L 185.
Lambert, Nick. L 169 - L 170 - L 171 - L 172 - L 184 - L 185.