Egg hiding in four harvestman species from Uruguay (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)

• Published in: The Journal of arachnology 2011-12, Vol.39 (3), p.495-496
• Main Author: Stanley, Estefanía
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Camouflage; Dehydration; Discocyrtus; Egg (Biology); egg burying; Eggs; Entomology; Female animals; Geologic fissures; Gonyleptidae; Harvestmen; Legs; Male animals; New records; Opiliones; Oviposition; Oviposition sites; Ovipositor; Pachyloides; Parampheres; Parasites; Parental behavior in animals; parental care; Predators; SHORT COMMUNICATION; Short Communications; Social aspects; Species; Tree trunks; Trees; Zoological research
• ISSN: 0161-8202; 1937-2396
• DOI: 10.1636/Hi10-114.1

I describe oviposition sites and egg-hiding for four species of the family Gonyleptidae: Parampheres bimaculatus, Parampheres ronae (Gonyleptinae), Discocyrtus prospicuus, and Pachyloides thorellii (Pachylinae). Females of P. bimaculatus bury single eggs on the ground; the first record of this behavior among gonyleptids. Females of the other three species lay their eggs, singly or in clusters, on tree trunks or rock fissures. I found the eggs of P. ronae and D. prospicuus covered with debris, whereas eggs of P. thorellii were not. Females of D. prospicuus and P. thorellii lay their eggs over an extended period of time. At least for hemipterans, covering the eggs with debris works as a way to camouflage or prevent egg dehydration. I hypothesize that for the species used in this study, to spread isolated eggs in time and space may also protect them against predators and parasites.