Histricostoma Kratochvíl, 1958
The genus Histricostoma is characterized by the combination of male cheliceral apophyses with a single excretion pore, the bifid glans penis with a large thorn on the longer arm with otherwise small spination and by the fused base of the penis. Males further have a large spine at the patella of the palpus and elongated cone-like thorns crowned with small spines characterize dorsal armature. Animals are generally small to medium sized, long legged and coloration varies from uniform black to including ornamentation with gold and silver. The five species encompass a large distribution area from the Alps and the Western Mediterranean Islands, through the Balkan and Turkey to the Caucasus. Distribution areas of single species are surprisingly large for Nemastomatidae, such as H. argenteolunulatum, encompassing all of Italy and recorded from many Islands in the western Mediterranean Sea. The distribution areas of the single species do not overlap.
Taxonomy and Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
Within the group of Nemastomatidae exhibiting a divided glans penis, Histricostoma and Carinostoma are probably most closely related (Schönhofer and Martens 2010). The genus H. argenteolunulatum and dentipalpe are probably closely related and both sister to H. caucasicum (Martens 2006). Other relationships seem not to have been proposed.
Ecology and Life History
Histricostoma are relatively euryoecious nemastomatids, inhabiting a variety of different forest formations and encompassing a large altitudinal range, which is likely reflected in the wide distribution of most species.
References
Martens, J. 2006. Weberknechte aus dem Kaukasus (Arachnida, Opiliones, Nemastomatidae), Senckenbergiana biologica 86 (2):145-210.
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
Within the group of Nemastomatidae exhibiting a divided glans penis, Histricostoma and Carinostoma are probably most closely related (Schönhofer and Martens 2010). The genus H. argenteolunulatum and dentipalpe are probably closely related and both sister to H. caucasicum (Martens 2006). Other relationships seem not to have been proposed.
Ecology and Life History
Histricostoma are relatively euryoecious nemastomatids, inhabiting a variety of different forest formations and encompassing a large altitudinal range, which is likely reflected in the wide distribution of most species.
References
Martens, J. 2006. Weberknechte aus dem Kaukasus (Arachnida, Opiliones, Nemastomatidae), Senckenbergiana biologica 86 (2):145-210.
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.
