Summary details for Scotolemon doriae Pavesi, 1878

Distribution

This species was first recorded in Britain on 31st December 2017 in a cemetery in Plymouth (Bilton, 2018a). It has since been recorded at one location in Guernsey on three separate occasions in 2020 (January, February and November) and one individual was recently recorded in Bristol in March 2023. For each of these Guernsey sightings, large numbers were recorded each time, with estimates of up to 500 individuals. This species appears to be native to the northern Mediterranean area. It was first recorded in Italy, and also has been found in Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica and southern France. Beyond this area, it has turned up in Paris and has recently been found in woodlands in north-western France (Iorio & Racine 2017, Bilton 2018b, Martens 1978).

Habitat and ecology

At its Plymouth locality, this species was found on the underside of stones, embedded in the soil but overlying small cavities. Similarly, in Guernsey groups of individuals were recorded by overturning embedded logs and stones in saturated ground. It is considered that it only comes near the soil surface when the relative humidity is high and presumably retreats to lower levels in drier conditions.

Status

Considered to be an introduction (Bilton 2018b). Inconspicuous (small and mite-like) and possibly overlooked elsewhere.

References

Bilton, D. 2018a. Scotolemon doriae Pavesi, 1878 in Britain. Spider Recording Scheme News, 90 In: Newsletter of the British Arachnological Society ### ### 141: 17. Bilton, D. 2018b. Scotolemon doriae Pavesi, 1878 – a soil-dwelling harvestman new to Britain (Opiliones: Phalangodidae). In press. Iorio, E.& Racine, A. 2017. Première observation de Scotolemon doriae Pavesi, 1878 dans le Massif armoricain (Opiliones, Phalangodidae). Revue arachnologique ### 4: 41-45. Martens, J. 1978. Spinnentiere, Arachnida: Weberknechte, Opiliones. Die Tierwelt Deutschlands ### 64: 1-464. Fischer Verlag, Jena.