Researchers Studying Daddy Longlegs’ Genes Created A ‘Daddy Shortlegs’

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«One of the unique things about daddy longlegs is the ability to coil the tips of their legs, using small articulating pieces called tarsomeres, says Vanessa L. González, a computational genomics scientist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.





Caitlin M. Baker



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Caitlin M. Baker





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The leg of the daddy longleg has dozens of tarsomeres — small joints that allow the arachnid to curl and coil their legs around objects like twigs. Because it has dozens of tarsomeres, the daddy longlegs can curl its leg very tightly.





Caitlin M. Baker



hide caption



toggle caption


Caitlin M. Baker




The leg of the daddy longleg has dozens of tarsomeres — small joints that allow the arachnid to curl and coil their legs around objects like twigs. Because it has dozens of tarsomeres, the daddy longlegs can curl its leg very tightly.


Caitlin M. Baker


Tarsomeres help daddy longlegs catch on


«Tarsomeres are small joints on the distal part (tips) of the legs, that allow the daddy longlegs to curl and coil their legs around objects, like twigs or even the legs of other daddy longlegs, González said.

«If you had more segments on your fingers you would be able to curl your finger much tighter, she added. «Then if your finger had both lots more segments and was also much longer, you could hold tight to pretty much anything. These tarsomeres help the legs achieve the capability of prehensility, like that of a curling marsupial tail.

The legs also have another special characteristic, a survival tactic that scientists refer to as autotomy. The arachnid’s legs can «detach themselves from the body, a trick used to distract predators while the daddy longlegs runs away with the remaining legs, González said.


What you should do if you meet a daddy longlegs


People in the U.S. are likely very familiar with daddy longlegs. When asked what they should they do when they encounter one, González says they’re harmless.

«Phalangium opilio is one of the most widespread harvestman species in the world and can be easily seen in cities. One of the biggest misconceptions is that they are venomous, but are too ‘weak’ to inflict a bite, she said, adding that the arachnids neither have have venom nor do they bite.

«If you were to encounter one in the forest or your home, look at them in awe, and let them go on their merry way, she said. «If you feel you must remove it from inside your home, pick it up gently and put it outside.