Some notes on the mating behaviour of the harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis (Opiliones, Phalangiidae)

The mating behaviour, copulation and anatomy of the genitalia of Paroligolophus agrestis (Meade, 1855) are analysed and depicted using a series of photographs made by Jürgen Peters. Species-specific adaptations of the female sternum and top of the genital operculum in P. agrestis may enable intromission of the penis while the operculum of the female remains closed. It is suggested the particularly long penis in Paroligolophus agrestis is an evolutionary attempt to take the sperm much further inside the ovipositor, closer to the eggs.