Biology:Giant Laotian harvestman
| Giant Laotian harvestman | |
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| Genus: | Possibly Gagrella
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The giant Laotian harvestman is the unofficial name for an as-yet undescribed species of Opiliones belonging to the family Sclerosomatidae. The species was discovered in April 2012 near a cave in the southern province of Khammouan, by Dr. Peter Jäger of the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt, Germany, whilst shooting a television documentary about the wildlife of Laos.
Physical description
The giant Laotian harvestman dwells inside the caves of Laos, and has a leg span stretching just over 330 millimeters (13 inches), thus making it the second largest harvestman discovered so far – surpassed only by another species in South America. It is currently unknown why it has such a large leg span, but it is believed that, since opiliones breathe[clarification needed] through their legs, a larger leg span makes respiration easier in the caves' low oxygen environment.[1]
Predators
Predators of the giant Laotian harvestman most likely include the larger but not as lengthy giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima), the centipede Thereuopoda longicornis,[2] other larger arthropods in terms of body mass (such as other predatory centipedes, huntsman spiders and larger arachnids), and small cave mammals.
Binomial nomenclature
(As of 2012), giant Laotian harvestman is still undescribed, lacking a scientific name. Opiliones taxonomist Dr. Ana Lúcia Tourinho concluded that it likely belongs to the genus Gagrella; additional samples have been collected and preserved in ethanol to allow their DNA to be sequenced to test this.[1][3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Giant Harvestman Yet to Be Named". 16 October 2012. http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=5210&year=2012&action=press&id=2480. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ↑ "Giant Harvestman discovered in Laos Caves". 17 October 2012. http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/255/20121017/giant-harvestman-discovered-laos-caves.htm. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ↑ Amy Briggs (16 October 2012). "Giant "Daddy Longlegs" Discovered in Laos". National Geographic Society. http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2012/10/16/giant-daddy-longlegs-discovered-in-laos/. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
Wikidata ☰ Q20687071 entry
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