Dendrolasma Banks, 1894
Dendrolasma is confined to the coastal regions of north-western North America. It differs from other Ortholasmatinae in having thick and short rose-thorn shaped spines at the base of the glans and the upper part of the penial stylus (Shear 2010, Shear and Gruber 1983). The two species of Dendrolasma are very different from each other in external, as well in male genital morphology. While D. mirabile shows a dorsal ornamentation of elevated anvil shaped tubercles forming a pattern of large meshed cells, D. dentipalpe shows low tubercles and a small celled pattern. They also differ in the armature of the penis and in the extent of distribution along the Pacific Coast (Shear 2010, Shear and Gruber 1983). D. dentipalpe is a small scaled endemic while D. mirabile is widespread, showing considerable variation that might warrant further investigation.
Taxonomy and Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
Dendrolasma historically encompassed species from south-eastern Asia and north-western North America (Shear and Gruber 1983). Shear (2010) redefined Dendrolasma to include only the two Nearctic species, which in addition to his outlined external morphological characters also suits genital morphological differences (shape of large thorns on glans, length and size of stylus) and geographic separation. External morphological features such as a single lateral hood process, the form of the hood and the lack of a dorsal glandular bristle field on the basal cheliceral segment show close relationship with Cladolasma, at least with the Japanese species, where males are known (Shear and Gruber 1983).
Ecology and Life History
Dendrolasma species prefer more humid conditions and inhabit different forest communities under climatic influence of the Pacific. They can be found under logs and fallen bark but have also been sieved from leaf litter.
References
Shear, W. A. 2010. New species and records of ortholasmatine harvestmen from México, Honduras, and the western United States (Opiliones, Nemastomatidae, Ortholasmatinae). ZooKeys 52:9-45.
Shear, W. A. and J. Gruber. 1983. The opilionid subfamily Ortholasmatinae (Opiliones, Troguloidea, Nemastomatidae). American Museum Novitates. 2757:1-65.
Credits
Page created by Axel L. Schönhofer. Dave Carlson helped improve the English.
Taxonomy and Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
Dendrolasma historically encompassed species from south-eastern Asia and north-western North America (Shear and Gruber 1983). Shear (2010) redefined Dendrolasma to include only the two Nearctic species, which in addition to his outlined external morphological characters also suits genital morphological differences (shape of large thorns on glans, length and size of stylus) and geographic separation. External morphological features such as a single lateral hood process, the form of the hood and the lack of a dorsal glandular bristle field on the basal cheliceral segment show close relationship with Cladolasma, at least with the Japanese species, where males are known (Shear and Gruber 1983).
Ecology and Life History
Dendrolasma species prefer more humid conditions and inhabit different forest communities under climatic influence of the Pacific. They can be found under logs and fallen bark but have also been sieved from leaf litter.
References
Shear, W. A. 2010. New species and records of ortholasmatine harvestmen from México, Honduras, and the western United States (Opiliones, Nemastomatidae, Ortholasmatinae). ZooKeys 52:9-45.
Shear, W. A. and J. Gruber. 1983. The opilionid subfamily Ortholasmatinae (Opiliones, Troguloidea, Nemastomatidae). American Museum Novitates. 2757:1-65.
Credits
Page created by Axel L. Schönhofer. Dave Carlson helped improve the English.
