Taxonomy
Order: OPILIONESSuborder: EupnoiSuperfamily: PhalangioideaFamily: SclerosomatidaeSynonym: Leiobunum elegans; Leiobunum bicolor Comments: One of two species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Cokendolpher and Lee, 1993, as Leiobunum elegans and Nelima paessleri). Only elegans occurs in the East. Shultz (2018) indicated that the genus Nelima may be restricted to Old World species and that our may need to be assigned a new generic name.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google , iNaturalist , Wikipedia , GBIF Technical Description: Davis (1934, as Leiobunum bicolor); Shultz (2018)Comments: A medium-sized, long-legged Harvestman. The dorsal surface is mottled with white, brown
and black, with a pair of prominent dark triangular marks extending from the eye tubercle to the rear edge of the carapace (Shultz, 2018). Legs have white banding on the joints and a series of alternating light and dark bands on the tarsi.Total Length: 5.5–7.5 mm (Shultz, 2018)Adult ID: identifiable by photoStructural Features: The cuticle of the dorsal surface is relatively flexible, rather than hardened as in members of Leiobunum (Shultz, 2018). Except for low tubercles on the eye tubercle, the body lacks spines and other projections. Unlike Leiobunum, the coxae of legs III and IV lack lateral lines of tubercles (they may be present on legs I or II) (Shultz, 2018)
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Probably confined to the Mountains in North CarolinaCounty Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult phenology: Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species occurs at both high and low elevations in the Mountains. According to Davis (1934), this species occurs in close proximity to streams in wooded areas. At Mount Mitchell, this species was fairly common on outbuildings and cabins in the park's maintenance area. This area is located along the ridge of the mountain, well away from any stream, but kept moist by frequent rains and mist that sweep this mountain. This species is well-known to overwinter in large aggregations in caves and mines (Shultz, 2018). Observation Methods: Commonly observed at night on outbuildings at Mt. Mitchell. Abundance/Frequency: We currently have too few records to estimate the frequency of occurrence or abundance in North Carolina. The existence of large wintering aggregations, however, suggest that they can be locally abundant.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status: Natural Heritage Program Ranks: [GNR] [S3S4]State Protection: Arachnids are not protected under state law, although permits are needed to collect them in State Parks and other public and private nature preservesComments: More survey information is in North Carolina in order to determine the distribution, abundance, habitat associations, and populations trends of this species.
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