Some Tasmanian harvestmen of the sub-order Palpatores

Abstract

Three new species belonging to the little-known family Acropsopilionidae are described. Two of them are placed in a new genus Tasmanopilio and the third in the genus Austropsopilio Forster. A key to the genera is provided. An account of four species belonging to the family Phalangiidae is also given. One of the species, Spinicrus tasmanicum (Hogg), is the only member of the sub-order Palpatores hitherto recorded from Tasmania. Two of the other species are new and also belong to the genus Spinicrus Forster. The remaining species is the widely distributed European phalangiid, Opilio parietinus (De Geer) , which is often seen on buildings in Hobart and Launceston during summer.