Opiliones are a cosmopolitan group of arachnids distinguished from spiders by the lack of a pedicel (waist) joining the cephalothorax and abdomen. Three suborders are generally recognised and the order is currently divided into more than 30 families. The Australian opilionid fauna is well developed with representatives of all three suborders in 10 families with some 61 genera restricted to Australia. Further research is necessary to clarify the identity and relationships of many Australian taxa.
Gap Specimen H55
This Opilionid was collected at The Gap on Thursday, 11 March 2010 from under a rock. It has an obviously segmented abdomen and a cage affair made from "antlers" projecting from the pedipalps.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Gap Specimen H55
Photo: Robert Whyte
Gap Specimen H55
Photo: Robert Whyte
Gap Specimen H55
Photo: Robert Whyte
Gap Specimen H55
Photo: Robert Whyte
Gap Specimen H55
Photo: Robert Whyte