Distribution Records
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Vetting Levels |
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Adult phenology:
High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
Piedmont (Pd)
Coastal Plain (CP)
Click on graph to enlarge
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| synonym | Leiobunum elegans; Leiobunum bicolor |
| taxonomic_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. |
| species_comment |
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| id_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) |
| structural_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) |
| silk_web |
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| fld_guide_descriptions |
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| online_photos |
BugGuide, The Harvestmen of Maryland |
| prey |
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| predators |
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| behavior |
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| distribution_reference |
Davis (1934) |
| technical_reference |
Davis (1934, as Leiobunum bicolor); Shultz (2018) |
| adult_id | 1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only |
| abundance |
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. |
| distribution_comments |
Probably confined to the Mountains in North Carolina |
checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft. | |
checklist_mt_low
<4,000 ft. | |
checklist_pd
Piedmont | |
checklist_cp
Coastal Plain | |
| habitat |
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. |
| 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 preserves |
| NHP_ranks |
[GNR] [S3S4] |
| NHP_status |
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| status_comments |
More survey information is in North Carolina in order to determine the distribution, abundance, habitat associations, and populations trends of this species. |
Photo Gallery for Nelima elegans No common name |
 | Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Ashe Co.
Comment: |  | Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Yancey Co.
Comment: Found on side of building; 3 males and 3 females collected |
 | Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Yancey Co.
Comment: Found on side of building; 3 males and 3 females collected |  | Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Yancey Co.
Comment: Found on side of building; 3 males and 3 females collected |
 | Recorded by: Joey Weber
Avery Co.
Comment: GRMO - Thousands hibernating in Black Rock Cliffs Cave |  | Recorded by: Joey Weber
Avery Co.
Comment: GRMO - Thousands hibernating in Black Rock Cliffs Cave |
 | Recorded by: Dan Proud
Watauga Co.
Comment: ELKN - photo @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/danproud/8687406294/ - female |
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