Mountain Harvestman
Mitopus morio
The Mountain Harvestman is a highly adaptable species within the family Phalangiidae. It inhabits a wide range of environments, including forests, gardens, and alpine meadows or scree slopes above the tree line. The species is known for its significant variability in coloration and leg length, which often correlates with the altitude of its habitat.
Details
Identification
Characteristic dark saddle marking on the abdomen, often bordered with white; very long legs (especially the second pair); ocularium (eye hill) equipped with small spines.
Social behavior
Solitary, but does not show pronounced aggression towards conspecifics outside the mating season.
Diet
Opportunistic omnivore feeding on small insects, mites, dead arthropods, as well as occasionally fungi and plant juices.
Hunting strategy
Active searching and seizing of prey with pedipalps; also utilizes carrion.
Spawning substrate
Eggs are laid in moist soil, moss, or under bark.
Overwintering
The species usually overwinters in the egg stage in the soil or in protected layers of moss.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important predator within the micro-ecosystem of the soil and herb layer; contributes to the decomposition of organic matter.
Natural predators
Birds, small mammals (shrews), amphibians, and larger predatory spiders.
Competitor species
Other harvestman species such as Phalangium opilio or Leiobunum species.
Ecosystem service
Natural pest control by consuming aphids and other small insects.
Threats
Locally threatened by intensive agriculture and habitat loss, but not endangered overall.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Long, slender legs with dark annulations. The ocularium (eye mound) features two rows of small tubercles. Unlike the genus Oligolophus, it lacks a trident (group of three spines) on the front margin of the carapace. Legs are rounded to slightly angular in cross-section.
Habitat
Eurytopic and extremely adaptable; inhabits forests, bogs, heaths, gardens, and alpine meadows up to over 3000 m a.s.l. One of the most widespread species in Europe.
Role in food web
Important predator of agricultural pests and decomposer in the ecosystem; serves as prey for birds, amphibians, and predatory insects.
Protection & threats
Main threats
No significant threats currently known; the species is considered very common and not endangered (Red List Germany: Least Concern).
Population trend
Stable; widely distributed throughout the Palearctic.