''Forsteropsalis'' is a genus of harvestmen (
Opiliones
The Opiliones (formerly Phalangida) are an order of arachnids colloquially known as harvestmen, harvesters, harvest spiders, or daddy longlegs. , over 6,650 species of harvestmen have been discovered worldwide, although the total number of ext ...
)
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to New Zealand.
Males of this genus have exaggerated chelicerae weapons used in male-male competition.
''Forsteropsalis'' are opportunistic omnivores that both capture live prey and scavenge dead animal matter.
The diet includes various insects, arachnids, spiders,
millipedes
Millipedes are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derived from this feature. Each double-legged segment is a resu ...
,
amphipods
Amphipoda is an order of malacostracan crustaceans with no carapace and generally with laterally compressed bodies. Amphipods range in size from and are mostly detritivores or scavengers. There are more than 9,900 amphipod species so far descri ...
, and
annelid worms
The annelids (Annelida , from Latin ', "little ring"), also known as the segmented worms, are a large phylum, with over 22,000 extant taxon, extant species including ragworms, earthworms, and leeches. The species exist in and have adapted to v ...
.
Species
* ''
Forsteropsalis bona''
Taylor & Probert, 2014
* ''
Forsteropsalis chiltoni''
(Hogg, 1910)
* ''
Forsteropsalis distincta''
(Forster, 1964)
* ''
Forsteropsalis fabulosa''
(Phillipps & Grimmett, 1932)
* ''
Forsteropsalis grayi''
(Hogg, 1920)
* ''
Forsteropsalis grimmetti''
(Forster, 1944)
* ''
Forsteropsalis inconstans''
(Forster, 1944)
* ''
Forsteropsalis marplesi''
(Forster, 1944)
* ''
Forsteropsalis nigra''
(Forster, 1944)
* ''
Forsteropsalis photophaga''
Taylor & Probert, 2014
* ''
Forsteropsalis pureora''
Taylor, 2013
* ''
Forsteropsalis tumida''
(Forster, 1944)
* ''
Forsteropsalis wattsi''
(Hogg, 1920)
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3077718
Harvestmen
Arachnids of New Zealand