Das Höhlenlangbein Amilenus aurantiacus (Opiliones: Phalangiidae) ist Höhlentier des Jahres 2016 in Deutschland

Abstract

With the nomination of the ‘Cave Animal of the Year’ the Society of German Cave and Karst Explorers calls public and authorities’ attention to the understudied biodiversity of subterranean ecosystems. Here the Cave Animal of the Year 2016, Amilenus aurantiacus (Simon, 1881), is presented. It is the first time that a harvestman has been chosen. Ist ecology, habitat and morphology are described. New records from Hesse, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia are listed and discussed.

Keywords

• biospeleology
• harvestman
• new records