Nemastomatidae
The Nemastomatidae are a family of harvestmen with about 170 described species in 16 recent genera. Several fossil species and genera are known.
Unlike some related currently recognized families, the Nemastomatidae are monophyletic.
Description
Members of the Nemastomatidae range in body length from about one to almost six millimeters. Their chelicerae are of normal proportions, but the pedipalps are very elongated and thin in some groups. Leg length is likewise variable.Distribution
The Nemastomatidae are divided into two subfamilies. The subfamily Ortholasmatinae occur on both sides of the Pacific Ocean: in western North America from Alaska and British Columbia to Mexico and possibly Honduras, but also eastern Asia.The subfamily Nemastomatinae occur across Europe and near, including Iceland and the Caucasus, plus in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, from Anatolia to northern Iran. A few species are found outside this region in Central Asia and the Himalayas. Most species are geographically restricted to small zones in mountainous regions.
Relationships
The Nemastomatidae are probably a sister group to the Dicranolasmatidae and Trogulidae.Name
The genus name Nemastoma is a combination of Ancient Greek nema "thread" and stoma "mouth", referring to the elongated pedipalps.Species
For complete breakdown, see the following :For a broader recent listing of species see: