Mediostoma Kratochvíl, 1958
Mediostoma shows a distribution form the Southern Balkan Peninsula through Turkey to the Near East, the Caucasus and to Kyrgyzstan, thereby presently comprising the most eastern record of Nemastomatinae in Asia. The genus shows an unusual wide range in body sizes (1.6 - 4 mm) and characters as coloration, dorsal armature and leg length differ considerably. The male apophyses on the chelicerae are characteristic in being almost globular, constricted at the base and in that the secretion field is hidden deep in an indentation. Penes are very characteristic in showing inflated glans (interpreted as a “winged structure”) and a stylus that is separated as a small tube (Martens 2006).
Taxonomy and Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
Martens (2006) highlighted the close relationship with Pyza, which differs in the form of the secretion field on the male apophyses. Both genera are probably not monophyletic and further investigation together with more intensive studies of the Turkish and Greece fauna are necessary to resolve the issue. Species in the Caucasus and NE Turkey appear to be relatively young, closely related and still in the process of recent radiation (Martens 2006). Drawing valid species borders is a challenge and many cryptic species can be expected. The geographically distant M. pamiricum may belong to a different genus either close to or included in Starengovia, but only females are known (Snegovaya 2010).
Ecology and Life History
Species differ significantly in their ecological preferences, having been collected from dry Olive orchards to closed forests near to running water. The genus distribution might reflect requirements for higher temperatures, as species seems to inhabit low altitudes in the Eastern Mediterranean and require forest cover in the more Eastern species in the Caucasus.
References
Martens, J. 2006. Weberknechte aus dem Kaukasus (Arachnida, Opiliones, Nemastomatidae), Senckenbergiana biologica 86 (2):145-210.
Snegovaya, N. Y. 2010. New Harvestman Genus and Species from Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) (Arachnida: Opiliones: Nemastomatidae). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica 62 (3):351-354.
Credits
Page created by Axel L. Schönhofer. Angela DiDomenico helped improve the English.
Taxonomy and Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
Martens (2006) highlighted the close relationship with Pyza, which differs in the form of the secretion field on the male apophyses. Both genera are probably not monophyletic and further investigation together with more intensive studies of the Turkish and Greece fauna are necessary to resolve the issue. Species in the Caucasus and NE Turkey appear to be relatively young, closely related and still in the process of recent radiation (Martens 2006). Drawing valid species borders is a challenge and many cryptic species can be expected. The geographically distant M. pamiricum may belong to a different genus either close to or included in Starengovia, but only females are known (Snegovaya 2010).
Ecology and Life History
Species differ significantly in their ecological preferences, having been collected from dry Olive orchards to closed forests near to running water. The genus distribution might reflect requirements for higher temperatures, as species seems to inhabit low altitudes in the Eastern Mediterranean and require forest cover in the more Eastern species in the Caucasus.
References
Martens, J. 2006. Weberknechte aus dem Kaukasus (Arachnida, Opiliones, Nemastomatidae), Senckenbergiana biologica 86 (2):145-210.
Snegovaya, N. Y. 2010. New Harvestman Genus and Species from Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) (Arachnida: Opiliones: Nemastomatidae). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica 62 (3):351-354.
Credits
Page created by Axel L. Schönhofer. Angela DiDomenico helped improve the English.