Two Amber Specimens with Insect Inclusions

Two Amber Specimens with Insect Inclusions
near Santiago, Dominican Republic
Oligocene - Miocene
While the arachnid seen here is often called a "Daddy Longlegs", it is not a spider, but an Opiolonid. These are most easily distinguished from spiders (Aranea) by the fact that the cephalothorax and abdomen have no constriction as seen in spiders, giving them a more globular body shape. Their other common name is Harvestman. They commonly live among plants or on tree trunks, coming out at night to feed. He is seen here trapped in the sticky sap of an Hymenaea tree which later became fossilized to result in this interesting amber piece. Weighing approximately 18.1 carats (3.6 grams) and measuring 26.9 x 26.13 x 8.8mm; the second of cognac color, with a spider inclusion. Weighing 24.33 carats (4.86 grams) (2)