The Habitat and Feeding Ecology of Woodland Harvestmen (Opiliones) in England

Abstract

The ecology of Opiliones was studied in a series of deciduous woodlands. Distribution within sites and between the woods, which are of contrasting composition and structure, is analysed. Feeding behaviour in the laboratory is briefly described and a serological analysis of the diet of common opilionids at the field sites is presented. No clear pattern of dietary separation can be detected but several feeding differences appear to be related to microhabitat use. A reanalysis of the data on habitat distribution, using psychophysical unfolding theory, is employed to develop a picture of the underlying structure of habitat separation among Opiliones. The derived pattern is shown to contain a significant amount of information, sufficient to make testable predictions about other aspects of these species' ecology. The critical factor influencing opilionid ecology appears to be habitat structure and density; this may affect diet, life history patterns and morphology.