Dicranopalpus ramosus

Dicranopalpus ramosus
Scientific classification
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D. ramosus
Binomial name
Dicranopalpus ramosus
(Simon, 1909)
Synonyms

Dicranochirus ramosus
Dicranopalpus caudatus

Male

Dicranopalpus ramosus is a species of harvestman. Males are up to 4 mm long, females can reach up to 6 mm. Both sexes have very long legs (especially the second pair can reach up to 5 cm), with a distinct elongated apophysis that reaches almost to the end of the tibia. This makes their pedipalps look forked. Their body is brownish with dark markings, the females being lighter colored.

D. ramosus from Leverkusen, Germany

The forked pedipalps and the resting posture, with the legs stretched to the sides, makes this species easy to identify, although the traditional method of collecting invertebrates does not prove adequate: of 103 individuals captured in Belgium, only one was found in a pitfall; all others were collected by hand.

Adults can be found from August to November, mostly in gardens and on outer walls, but sometimes also inside.