Anarthrotarsus Šilhavý, 1967 - Anarthrotarsus martensi Šilhavý, 1967
Within the Trogulidae family Anarthrotarsus is characterized by the possession of a single tarsal segment on each leg, and by male genital morphology with extremely compact and short penial glans (Šilhavý 1967). The monotypic genus seems confined to eastern Crete in Greece where collections are confirmed. The type locality - Corfu, Greece - has not been confirmed, and erroneous labeling is likely.
Taxonomy and Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
Šilhavý (1967) assumed Anarthrotarsus to be a plesiomorphic form within the Calathocratus-complex, as the number of tarsal segments on each leg is the most reduced. Yet phylogenetic implications based on this character have been shown to be unreliable (Schönhofer and Martens 2010). Anarthrotarsus male genital morphology supports a placement close to Calathocratus.
Ecology and Life History
The few specimens from confirmed collection sites have been found under stones in open grassland and macchia, an atypical habitat for small trogulids. The species is very difficult to collect, likely to be found only in winter and spring and might be more widespread on Crete.
References
Šilhavý, V. 1967. Anarthrotarsus martensi, ein neuer Weberknecht aus Griechenland (Arach., Opiliones). Senckenbergiana Biologica 48 (3):175-178.
Schönhofer, A.L. and J. Martens. 2010. Hidden Mediterranean diversity: Assessing species taxa by molecular phylogeny within the opilionid family Trogulidae (Arachnida, Opiliones). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 54 (1):59-75.
Credits
Page created by Axel L. Schönhofer. Dave Carlson helped improve the English
Taxonomy and Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
Šilhavý (1967) assumed Anarthrotarsus to be a plesiomorphic form within the Calathocratus-complex, as the number of tarsal segments on each leg is the most reduced. Yet phylogenetic implications based on this character have been shown to be unreliable (Schönhofer and Martens 2010). Anarthrotarsus male genital morphology supports a placement close to Calathocratus.
Ecology and Life History
The few specimens from confirmed collection sites have been found under stones in open grassland and macchia, an atypical habitat for small trogulids. The species is very difficult to collect, likely to be found only in winter and spring and might be more widespread on Crete.
References
Šilhavý, V. 1967. Anarthrotarsus martensi, ein neuer Weberknecht aus Griechenland (Arach., Opiliones). Senckenbergiana Biologica 48 (3):175-178.
Schönhofer, A.L. and J. Martens. 2010. Hidden Mediterranean diversity: Assessing species taxa by molecular phylogeny within the opilionid family Trogulidae (Arachnida, Opiliones). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 54 (1):59-75.
Credits
Page created by Axel L. Schönhofer. Dave Carlson helped improve the English
