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The giant Laotian harvestman is the unofficial name for an as-yet undescribed species of Opiliones belonging to the family Sclerosomatidae. The species was discovered in April 2012 near a cave in the southern province of Khammouan, by Dr. Peter Jäger of the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt, Germany, whilst shooting a television documentary about the wildlife of Laos.
| Giant Laotian harvestman | |
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| Genus: | Possibly Gagrella
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Physical description edit
The giant Laotian harvestman dwells inside the caves of Laos, and has a leg span stretching just over 330 millimeters (13 inches), thus making it the second largest harvestman discovered so far – surpassed only by another species in South America. It is currently unknown why it has such a large leg span, but it is believed that, since opiliones breathe[clarification needed] through their legs, a larger leg span makes respiration easier in the caves' low oxygen environment.[1]
Predators edit
Predators of the giant Laotian harvestman most likely include the larger but not as lengthy giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima), the centipede Thereuopoda longicornis,[2] other larger arthropods in terms of body mass (such as other predatory centipedes, huntsman spiders and larger arachnids), and small cave mammals.
Binomial nomenclature edit
As of 2012[update], giant Laotian harvestman is still undescribed, lacking a scientific name. Opiliones taxonomist Dr. Ana Lúcia Tourinho concluded that it likely belongs to the genus Gagrella; additional samples have been collected and preserved in ethanol to allow their DNA to be sequenced to test this.[1][3]
References edit
- ^ a b "Giant Harvestman Yet to Be Named". Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ^ Sarah Miller (17 October 2012). "Giant Harvestman discovered in Laos Caves". Nature World News. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ^ Amy Briggs (16 October 2012). "Giant "Daddy Longlegs" Discovered in Laos". National Geographic Voices. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.