Family TRIAENONYCHIDAE Sörensen, 1886

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Introduction

The Triaenonychidae is the most diverse and numerous family in the Australian opilionid fauna, with 135 described species in 43 genera. The family is abundant in the Southern Hemisphere, with other genera found in isolated areas of the Northern Hemisphere such as Japan and North America.

The existing subfamily classification was examined critically by Hunt & Hickman (1993) when attempting to place the genus Lomanella. These authors highlighted weaknesses in the character states traditionally used to delineate subfamilies (e.g. Roewer 1923). Despite these results, we have retained the two subfamilies usually applied to the Australian fauna, but have declined to place Lomanella in either of these subfamilies. Similarly, the position of Breviacantha is also unresolved.

General References

Hunt, G.S. & Hickman, J.L. 1993. Revision of the genus Lomanella Pocock with implications for family level classification in the Travunioidea (Arachnida: Opiliones: Triaenonychidae). Records of the Australian Museum 45: 81-119

Roewer, C.F. 1923. Die Webernechte der Erde. Jena : Gustav Fischer pp. 1-1116.

History of changes