Dicranolasma is a genus of [[harvestmen]] (Order: [[Opiliones]]) belonging to the family [[Dicranolasmatidae]]. These arachnids are characterized by their small size, often cryptic coloration, and a distinctively flattened, typically tuberculate or granulate body. They are predominantly found in the [[Mediterranean Basin]] and parts of central and southern Europe.
Description
Harvestmen of the genus Dicranolasma are generally small, with body lengths usually ranging from a few millimeters to about 1 cm. Their bodies are typically dorsoventrally flattened and exhibit a rough texture, often covered with tubercles, granules, or bristles. This morphology, combined with their dull coloration (ranging from various shades of brown to grey), provides excellent camouflage against the substrates they inhabit, such as leaf litter, under stones, and in soil.
Like all harvestmen, Dicranolasma species possess a fused [[cephalothorax]] and [[abdomen]] (creating an oval or elongated body shape), and typically eight long, slender legs, although some species may have relatively shorter limbs. The pedipalps are usually short and robust, often armed with tubercles, adapted for sensing and manipulating food. Their chelicerae are also relatively small. Dicranolasma are known for their ability to detach a leg (autotomy) as a defense mechanism when threatened by predators.
Taxonomy
The genus Dicranolasma was first described by the Danish arachnologist William Sørensen in 1873. It is the type genus for the family Dicranolasmatidae, which is characterized by specific morphological features, particularly of the male [[genitalia]] and the armature of the body.
Classification
- Kingdom: [[Animalia]]
- Phylum: [[Arthropoda]]
- Subphylum: [[Chelicerata]]
- Class: [[Arachnida]]
- Order: [[Opiliones]]
- Family: [[Dicranolasmatidae]]
- Genus: Dicranolasma Sørensen, 1873
Species
The genus Dicranolasma includes numerous species, with new ones occasionally being described. Diversity within the genus is high, especially in the Mediterranean region. Some notable species include:
- Dicranolasma opilionoides (L. Koch, 1869)
- Dicranolasma hirtum L. Koch, 1876
- Dicranolasma scabriculum (L. Koch, 1869)
- Dicranolasma apuanum Marcellino, 1970
- Dicranolasma thracium Starega, 1976
- Dicranolasma macedonicum Šilhavý, 1966
Ecology and Habitat
Dicranolasma species are predominantly nocturnal and exhibit cryptic behavior, remaining hidden during the day. They inhabit humid microhabitats such as under stones, within leaf litter, moss, and soil, often found in forests, grasslands, and sometimes at the entrances of caves.
Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates, decaying plant matter, and fungi, making them important components of the detritivore and scavenger communities in their ecosystems. They play a role in nutrient cycling by breaking down organic matter.
Distribution
The genus Dicranolasma has a distribution centered around the [[Mediterranean Basin]], including southern Europe (e.g., [[Spain]], [[Italy]], [[Greece]], [[Balkans]]), parts of North Africa, and the Middle East. Some species extend their range into central European countries. Their distribution is often fragmented, leading to a high degree of local endemism for certain species.