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Harvest Man (Daddy Long legs)


Harvest Man (Daddy Long legs)
Photo Information
Copyright: Haraprasan Nayak (haraprasan) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1232 W: 96 N: 3245] (12111)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-26
Categories: Insects, Spiders
Camera: Nikon Coolpix E5600
Exposure: f/5.4, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-18 5:20
Viewed: 567
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Harvestmen (also known as daddy long-legs in the U.S. and Canada) are eight-legged invertebrate animals belonging to the order Opiliones (formerly Phalangida) in the class Arachnida, in the subphylum Chelicerata of the phylum Arthropoda. As of 2006, over 6,400 species of harvestmen have been discovered worldwide, although the real number of extant species may exceed 10,000 species. The order Opiliones can be divided in four suborders: Cyphophthalmi (Simon, 1879), Eupnoi (Hansen & Sørensen, 1904), Dyspnoi (Hansen & Sørensen, 1904) and Laniatores (Thorell, 1876). Well-preserved fossils have been found in the 400-million year old Rhynie cherts of Scotland, which look surprisingly modern, indicating that the basic structure of the harvestmen has not changed much since then. Phylogenetic position is disputed: their closest relatives may be the mites (Acari) or the Novogenuata (the Scorpiones, Pseudoscorpiones and Solifugae).

In some places, harvestmen are known by the name "daddy longlegs" or "granddaddy longlegs", but this name is also used for two other unrelated arthropods: the crane fly (Tipulidae) and the cellar spider (Pholcidae).

Because they are a ubiquitous order, but species are often restricted to small regions due to their low dispersal rate, they are good models for biogeographic studies.

Physical description
These arachnids are known for their exceptionally long walking legs, compared to body size, although there are also short-legged species. The difference between harvestmen and spiders is that in harvestmen the two main body sections (the abdomen with ten segments and cephalothorax, or prosoma and opisthosoma) are nearly joined, so that they appear to be one oval structure; they also have no venom or silk glands. In more advanced species, the first five abdominal segments are often fused into a dorsal shield called the scutum, which is normally fused with the carapace. Sometimes this shield is only present in males. The two most posterior abdominal segments can be reduced or separated in the middle on the surface to form two plates lying next to each other. The second pair of legs are longer than the others and work as antennae. This can be hard to see in short-legged species.

The feeding apparatus (stomotheca) differs from other arachnids in that ingestion is not restricted to liquid, but chunks of food can be taken in. The stomotheca is formed by extensions from the pedipalps and the first pair of legs.

They have a single pair of eyes in the middle of their heads, oriented sideways. However, there are eyeless species (for example the Brazilian Caecobunus termitarum (Grassatores) from termite nests, Giupponia chagasi (Gonyleptidae) from caves, and all species of Guasiniidae).

Harvestmen have a pair of prosomatic defensive scent glands (ozopores) that secrete a peculiar smelling fluid when disturbed, confirmed in some species to contain noxious quinones. Harvestmen do not have silk glands and do not possess venom glands, posing absolutely no danger to humans. They do not have book lungs, and breathe through trachea only. Between the base of the fourth pair of legs and the abdomen a pair of spiracles are located, one opening on each side. In more active species, spiracles are also found upon the tibia of the legs. They have a gonopore on the ventral cephalothorax, and the copulation is direct as the male has a penis (while the female has an ovipositor). All species lay eggs.

The legs continue to twitch after they are detached. This is because there are pacemakers located in the ends of the first long segment (femur) of their legs. These pacemakers send signals via the nerves to the muscles to extend the leg and then the leg relaxes between signals. While some harvestman's legs will twitch for a minute, other kinds have been recorded to twitch for up to an hour. The twitching has been hypothesized as a means to keep the attention of a predator while the harvestman escapes.

Typical body length does not exceed 7 mm (about 5/16 inch), with some species smaller than one mm, although the largest species Trogulus torosus (Trogulidae) can reach a length of 22 mm. However, leg span is much larger and can exceed 160 mm (over 6 inch). Most species live for a year.
rousettus, ramthakur, uleko, matatur, mariki, jaycee, pilonm, jcoowanitwong, pablominto, marhowie, angybone, MMM, boreocypriensis, Maite, cicindela has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To cicindela: Thank you once againharaprasan 1 01-26 00:54
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Critiques [Translate]

This is brilliant Haraprasan,
Long legs are superbly captured in great clarity and details. Eight legged species without a web? Excellently exposed against the contrasting green leaves. I will like it better if the close-up is placed in the WS rather than an inset.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Regards,
Jusni

Hi Haraprasan,
Opiliones shots rare on TN, but second photo, I saw today. Yours are great. Focus, composition, frame, details very nice. Splendid colored green leaves supply a fine contrast to grey colored Harvestmen. thanks for sharing. best wishes
Ahmet

This spider-like insect is aptly named, HP.
I like "Daddy Long Legs"!
The green leaves provide an excellent background for this grey coloured creature.
You have opulent nature in Orissa, going by the variety of unique fauna you have shown us from time to time.
TFS.
Ram

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2369 W: 164 N: 7114] (22494)
  • [2008-01-18 6:31]

Hello Haraprasan,
What a very fine capture of the Harvestman spreading its long legs across the leaves. A very beautiful composition in great sharpness and fine colours. I almost think it's a pity to have added the enlargement in the corner.
TFS and have a nice weekend, Ulla

Hi Haraprasan, and thank you for this not-so-easy-to-capture comp. of a harvestman almost totally in focus with all 8 of its legs! Good POV and excellent DOF friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet

Except for one knee you were able to put in eight of them, which is most diff,cult in photography of these animals. Great photo, TFS.

Hello Haraprasan,

Very nice picture of this harvestman. Very nice composition. I do not think we have silver-grey harvestman here in Europe. Good sharpness. Very nice colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1681 W: 8 N: 4318] (14043)
  • [2008-01-18 8:20]

Hi Haraprasan.

So this is what a Daddy Long Legs is! Heard of it all my life but never saw one. A marvelous shot with superb clarity. Those legs are amazing. Shows up so well on the green leaf.

Jane

Ciao Haraprasan,
quello che ci mostri stasera è una specie veramente particolare e poco vista, sia su TN che altrove.
Gli Opilionidi sono un gruppo estremamente complesso e difficile da determinare e ogni contributo alla loro conoscenza è importante.
Grazie perciò per questa tua bella immagine e per il particolare del corpo che mostri in basso a destra.
Ciao,
Marcello

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 5 N: 2420] (9081)
  • [2008-01-18 10:16]

Hi Hara,perfect point of view to show this insect complete,i try many times but my results was bad,you're is very nice,thanks for share,Luciano

Preciosa fotografía Hara. El detalle creo que sobra ya que la toma principal es lo suficientemente clara para poder apreciarse los detalles. Buena composición y sobre todo una excelente iluminación.
Saludos: J. Ignasi

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1998 W: 6 N: 1948] (13031)
  • [2008-01-18 11:27]

Hola Harapresan,
precioso trabajo,
original arácnido y detalles...
buena compo. y presentación,
saludos

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 542 W: 99 N: 813] (2647)
  • [2008-01-18 12:19]

Hello Haraprasan,

TN is also a therapeutic site for me... And this is the case by looking to this spider-like opiliones... Nice picture very well rendered and excellent use of the flash! You took also a very good pov... TFS for sharing it with us!

Michel

Hi Haraprasan,
I found this Harvestmen is very difficult to shoot. However, you have a nice catch here. Congratulations.
JC

Hello Haraprasan,
Indeed they have amazing legs, quite vulnerable I will think!
This fellow is captured from a good point of view and presented in a fine composition...
Sharp fine details, and the use of the legs is well shown!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hello Haraprasan !
You may live at the other end of the world, but this one I have in France too ! Exactly the same ! :-) I don't really like them, but they look great on pictures, specially when the picture is well-taken like this one. Excellent details and excellent use of the flash, good colors, wonderful composition and POV. Almost all the legs are sharp, and I also like the close-up in the corner of the picture. Very well done !
Valerie.

Nice presentation Haraprasan, I like the inset showing us the small body of the harvestman up close..without all those legs :)
Great detail, color, and light in the large view.
It's also well composed with a good POV :)
Well done!
Howard

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 839 W: 4 N: 2079] (9752)
  • [2008-01-19 6:59]

Hello Dada, WOW what a shot and what a way to explain in the small drop box. Lovely the clarity/POV/Focus and the image quality is outstanding. I am slowly trying to get back into trek. Keep sharing. Ganesh

Very cool...wonderful shot - great detail and light. Love the inset with the details.

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 737 W: 0 N: 1497] (6754)
  • [2008-01-19 12:39]

Hello Haraprasan
Beautiful presentation.well compose dimage whit great POV.Sharp image with great light.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-01-19 19:26]

Hello Haraprasan

Excellent clarity,the legs are well focused showing very good detail.
the POV is very good.
Well illuminated with natural colour.
TFS

Rob

Hi Haraprasan,
Nice capture of an opilionid! All is right! TFS friend, Greetings, Bayram

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2487 W: 132 N: 7075] (22101)
  • [2008-01-20 9:42]

Hello Haraprasan,
Theís is a great way of portraying a Harvestman, by including the whole harvestman with its long legs, and then showing the body in more detail. The image of the whole is sharp an contrasts nicely with the leaf.
In the UK I believe Daddy Longlegs are craneflies.
Thanks for sharing this and your informative note,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 978 W: 64 N: 1189] (4884)
  • [2008-01-20 9:46]

Hello Haraprasan
For me this is a bloodcurling creature, with those large eigh legs, but what a great capture you did! Magnificent sharpness with very good details. Excellent framing and composition, and very good note too.
Congratulations and TFS.
Greetings
Maite

And welcome again :)
This time a really rarely presented arthropod group! Very nice detaile (for me better in picture where entire specimen is seen - the smallest photo is sharpned a little to much :>).
I like natural "habitat" and pose of this arachnid species. Also not is very professional :)
Once again best regards!
Radomir

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