Harvestman  (Leiobunum rotundum)

Description

This small arachnid has no separation between the head and the abdomen (4), giving the small, smooth body the appearance of an oval pin-head. The eight black legs are extremely long in relation to the body and can be self-amputated if the harvestman is in danger of predation (4). They will not regenerate (5). It has no fangs, no poison glands and no silk glands, but is not entirely defenceless as it possesses scent glands at the front of the body, to the sides of the two eyes (6) (7). These produce an unpleasant smelling secretion which is also distasteful to predators (7). The male is smaller but brighter in colour than the female, having a red-brown body, whereas the female has a brown body with a darker band along the top, and a black ring around each eye (1). The young look like small adults.

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