Sabacon cavicolens
This record describes Sabacon cavicolens (species). Recorded family: Sabaconidae. Recorded order: Opiliones.
Identification and Appearance
DNA sequence data suggests that this species is a complex of at least three cryptic species. Male specimens are known from only one of these.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Opiliones (Harvestmen)
- Suborder
- Dyspnoi
- Superfamily
- Ischyropsalidoidea
- Family
- Sabaconidae
- Genus
- Sabacon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"moist, cool microhabitats such as caves, upland forests under rocks or woody debris and under rocks near streams"
Geographic Range
ME, MI, WI, south to GA, AL, disjunct populations in Ozarks
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sabacon cavicolens (Packard, 1884)
About Harvestmen: the wider group
Order-level background for Opiliones, the group containing Sabacon cavicolens. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Opiliones (harvestmen/daddy longlegs) includes ~6,650 described species. Despite common myths, harvestmen are NOT spiders - they have a single fused body (not two segments), no venom glands, and no silk. They are completely harmless.
Ecological role of the group
Some harvestmen species practice paternal care - males guard eggs, a rare behavior among arachnids. Many species can detach their legs when caught by predators (autotomy), and the detached leg continues twitching to distract the predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Harvestmen have minimal economic impact. They are primarily beneficial as predators of small arthropods and as decomposers of organic matter in forest and garden ecosystems.
Recorded sources for this group: Arachnology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Sabacon cavicolens (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Thrasher