Natural history and distribution of the enigmatic southern Appalachian opilionid, Fumontana deprehendor Shear (Laniatores: Triaenonychidae), with an assessment of morphological variation
Thomas SM and Hedin M. 2006. Natural history and distribution of the enigmatic southern Appalachian opilionid, Fumontana deprehendor Shear (Laniatores: Triaenonychidae), with an assessment of morphological variation. Zootaxa. 1242:21-36
A report on the focused sampling efforts to increase the biogeographic and taxonomic informationon the opilionid species Fumontana deprehendor Shear, and an assessment of morphological variation. The opilionid species Fumontana deprehendor Shear, 1977 (Laniatores: Triaenonychidae) represents a monotypic genus, previously known from only four specimens collected at two published localities, both old-growth forest sites in the southern Appalachian mountains. In an effort to increase the biogeographic and taxonomic information available for this phylogenetically and morphologically unique opilionid, we undertook a focused sampling effort throughout the southern Appalachians. These field efforts uncovered both more individuals (n = 141) and a broader distributional range (22 newly-discovered populations) for this monotypic genus. Examination of both somatic and penis morphology reveals little geographic variation across spatially disjunct populations. Our results provide a new perspective on conservation priorities for F. deprehendor. Rather than representing a single, hyper-rare taxon of limited distribution, our data suggest a broader distribution across the uplands of the southern Appalachians. We recommend that conservation attention be focused on learning more about the distribution, biology and relative rarity of F. deprehendor in the smaller, geographically isolated units.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Thomas, Steven; Hedin, Marshal
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Appalachian Mountains, cryophilic arthropod, cryptic species, daddy-long-legs, Greenbrier, GRSM-00373, harvester, Opiliones
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Terrestrial Invertebrates