Epping Forest Harvestmen Species List
(Using the classification and nomenclature of the checklist published by Hillyard and Sankey, 1989)
NEMASTOMATIDAE
Nemastoma bimaculatum (Fabricius, 1775)
Mitostoma chrysomelas (Hermann, 1804)
PHALANGIIDAE
Oligolophus tridens (C.L.Koch. 1836)
Paroligolophus agrestis (Meade, 1855)
Paroligolophus meadii (OP-Cambridge, 1890)
Lacinius ephippiatus (C.L.Koch, 1835)
Mitopus morio (Fabricius, 1799)
Phalangium opilio Linnaeus, 1758
Opilio parietinus (Degeer, 1778)
Opilio saxatilis C.L.Koch, 1839
Rilaena triangularis (Herbst, 1799)
Lophopilio palpinalis (Herbst, 1799)
LEIOBUNIDAE
Leiobunum rotundum (Latreille, 1798)
Leiobunum blackwallii Meade, 1861
References
Hillyard, P. D. and Sankey, J. H. P. (1989) Harvestmen. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series). No. 4 (Second Edition). E.J. Brill, Avon.
Pseudoscorpions
P.R.Harvey
In common with the other groups of the Arachnida, there has not been much work on the
pseudoscorpions of Epping Forest. The Rev. O. Pickard-Cambridge recorded 3 species in the Essex
Naturalist in 1882; Chthonius ischnocheles, Neobisium muscorum and Cheiridium museorum. The
first two species are common and widespread in leaf litter and have been recorded again in recent
years. Cheiridium museorum is a synanthropic species recorded by Pickard-Cambridge from the
"Forest School", Wanstead. It is the "book-scorpion" of Aristotle (Legg, 1988).
Brian Eversham made some pseudoscorpion records in 1983 (pers. comm.). He found the large
Chernes cimicoides in several parts of the Forest under the bark of an old Oaktree at Loughton Camp,
in a rotting fallen oak branch at Great Monk Wood and under the bark of a fence post at Jack's Hill.
He also found the pseudoscorpion Lamprochernes nodosus at Jack's Hill, attached to the leg of a small
Anthomyid fly. Many pseudoscorpions have developed this association of phoresy to help them
overcome dispersal problems. The pseudoscorpions attach themselves to the legs of flies, beetles or
harvestmen and get a lift to new places.
Other records haved been made by various recorders over the years and I am grateful to Dr. G. Legg
and the Biological Records Centre for making these available to me. Of particular interest are records
for Chthonius tetrachelatus at High Beach, Allochernes dubius at Pole Hill and for Chthonius
orthodactylus all from leaf litter. There are also further records of Chernes cimicoides and
Lamprochernes nodosus. The Chernes is again recorded under the bark of dead or partly dead wood,
but also on the leg of the hymenopteran Ephialtes mesocentrus on a dead tree stump.
References
Legg, G. & Jones, R. E. (1988) Pseudoscorpions. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) No. 40. E. J. Brill/Dr. W. Backhuys, Avon.
Pickard-Cambridge, O. (1883-86) A Contribution towards the Knowledge of the Arachnida of Epping Forest, Transactions of the Essex Field
Club, Vol, IVp.41-49.
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