| Stygnidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Protimesius gracilis | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Opiliones |
| Suborder: | Laniatores |
| Infraorder: | Grassatores |
| Superfamily: | Gonyleptoidea |
| Family: | Stygnidae Simon, 1879 |
| Diversity | |
| c. 30 genera, > 70 species | |
TheStygnidae are a family ofneotropicalharvestmen within the suborderLaniatores.
The name of the type genus is derived fromAncient Greekstygnos "diabolic being".[1]
Body length ranges from about one to six millimeters. The color ranges from light brown to reddish. Some Heterostygninae have white patches, stripes or spots on the dorsalscutum.[1]
The Heterostygninae are found in theLesser Antilles, Nomoclastinae areendemic toColombia, and the Stygninae live from north of theTropic of Capricorn (central South America). Most species live in theAmazonian rainforest. However, half the species have only been collected once, so distribution of species is poorly known.[1]
The Stygnidae are sister toCosmetidae andGonyleptidae, and belong to the same group insideGonyleptoidea as these andCranaidae andManaosbiidae. The Stygnidae aremonophyletic.[1]
See theList of Stygnidae species for a list of currently described species.
HeterostygninaeRoewer, 1913
StygninaeSimon, 1879
---Else seeNomoclastinaeRoewer, 1943includingNomoclastesSørensen, 1932 =>Nomoclastidae