Caught in the Act?
Feb. 4th, 2016 06:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Fossilized Daddy Longlegs Found Baring Its Manhood
By Nathaniel Scharping | February 2, 2016 1:27 pm

A photograph of the trapped harvestman (above) and a close-up of the penis (below). Credit: Jason Dunlop, Paul Selden, Gonzalo Giribet
An arachnid encased in a shard of amber found in Burma died in a rather compromising position.
A harvestman of the species Halitherses grimaldii was discovered sporting a massive erection, a position it had been stuck in for the past 99 million years. What’s more, the creature was so uniquely endowed that scientists declared the find a brand new family of arachnids — a move based mostly on the shape of its penis. They published their findings last week in the journal The Science of Nature.
A Penis Like No Other
The researchers used photography and 3-D imaging to study the preserved harvestman, focusing special attention on the penis, which extended to almost half the length of the unfortunate male’s body. The erect appendage possesses a distinctively heart-shaped head and a twisted tip, meant for delivering sperm to females via a hole near their mouth.
While other arachnids such as spiders and scorpions reproduce using a modified leg to transfer sperm to the female, the harvestman, also known as a daddy longlegs, uses a bona-fide penis to carry the act out. In addition to being a remarkably well-preserved specimen, this harvestman is the first to be discovered in such a, well, unique position.

A modern-day harvestman, or daddy longlegs. Credit: Mehran Moghtadai/Arad/Wikipedia
Differentiating between species using penis morphology is not a new tactic for arachnid researchers. Different species of harvestmen often look very similar to each other, with the exception of their penises, making the sexual organs indispensable to researchers. The penis is usually carried within the body, and it’s typically invisible in preserved specimens.
Lost Love
Surprisingly, there was no female harvestman found nearby, indicating that the two were likely separated while in the throes of passion. While it’s not clear what cruel circumstances ripped this amorous fellow from his lover, he must have fallen into the resin soon afterward, locking his passion in place for the ages.
Alternatively, researchers have suggested that the harvestman may have gotten his erection while locked in a struggle with the sticky resin, raising his hemolymph, or blood, pressure enough that his penis hardened.
Harvestmen have crawled around on this planet for at least 400 million years, and are found today on every continent except Antarctica. Although there are over 6,500 species in existence today, this particular species likely died out or evolved millions of years ago.
Now imagine, if you will, if he was like a vampire caught for all eternity, still mentally cognizant of his static position and eternally in sexual excitement whether he wants to be or not. Poor Harvestman
By Nathaniel Scharping | February 2, 2016 1:27 pm

A photograph of the trapped harvestman (above) and a close-up of the penis (below). Credit: Jason Dunlop, Paul Selden, Gonzalo Giribet
An arachnid encased in a shard of amber found in Burma died in a rather compromising position.
A harvestman of the species Halitherses grimaldii was discovered sporting a massive erection, a position it had been stuck in for the past 99 million years. What’s more, the creature was so uniquely endowed that scientists declared the find a brand new family of arachnids — a move based mostly on the shape of its penis. They published their findings last week in the journal The Science of Nature.
A Penis Like No Other
The researchers used photography and 3-D imaging to study the preserved harvestman, focusing special attention on the penis, which extended to almost half the length of the unfortunate male’s body. The erect appendage possesses a distinctively heart-shaped head and a twisted tip, meant for delivering sperm to females via a hole near their mouth.
While other arachnids such as spiders and scorpions reproduce using a modified leg to transfer sperm to the female, the harvestman, also known as a daddy longlegs, uses a bona-fide penis to carry the act out. In addition to being a remarkably well-preserved specimen, this harvestman is the first to be discovered in such a, well, unique position.

A modern-day harvestman, or daddy longlegs. Credit: Mehran Moghtadai/Arad/Wikipedia
Differentiating between species using penis morphology is not a new tactic for arachnid researchers. Different species of harvestmen often look very similar to each other, with the exception of their penises, making the sexual organs indispensable to researchers. The penis is usually carried within the body, and it’s typically invisible in preserved specimens.
Lost Love
Surprisingly, there was no female harvestman found nearby, indicating that the two were likely separated while in the throes of passion. While it’s not clear what cruel circumstances ripped this amorous fellow from his lover, he must have fallen into the resin soon afterward, locking his passion in place for the ages.
Alternatively, researchers have suggested that the harvestman may have gotten his erection while locked in a struggle with the sticky resin, raising his hemolymph, or blood, pressure enough that his penis hardened.
Harvestmen have crawled around on this planet for at least 400 million years, and are found today on every continent except Antarctica. Although there are over 6,500 species in existence today, this particular species likely died out or evolved millions of years ago.
Now imagine, if you will, if he was like a vampire caught for all eternity, still mentally cognizant of his static position and eternally in sexual excitement whether he wants to be or not. Poor Harvestman
no subject
Date: 2016-02-05 07:57 am (UTC)The plea came into Antonio's mind as he took his usual seat beside the statue. The evening was mild and he enjoyed the warm breeze as it caressed his cheek. He looked up at the statue's handsome face, ignoring it's other familiar and well loved attributes for the time being.
"Antonio, please!" the statue pleaded again. "You don't know what it's like, all day, every day, men and women staring and laughing . . ."
"You didn't seem to have a problem with being stared at before you . . . ended up in your current state."
"Before you PUT me in my current state!" The accusing tone of injustice was as familiar as the statue, and Antonio did not rise to the bait.
"Antonio," the voice was quieter, humbled. "They . . . they touch me . . . "
"Again, never a problem before."
And finally, a whisper "They hang things off me . . . "
"Hmmm . . that must be . . difficult," Antonio allowed.
"So you'll . . . " the voice was hopeful.
"Hmm, we'll talk again tomorrow my love," was the reply Antonio gave as he stood and walked back toward the palazzo. Tomorrow they would talk again, as they had each evening for centuries. And tomorrow, maybe, just maybe, his wayward lovely would finally have learned his lesson, and Antonio would relent.
no subject
Date: 2016-02-05 07:12 pm (UTC)Tell me, if someone breaks off that extended piece and takes it home to play with then what would Antonio do?
no subject
Date: 2016-02-05 08:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-02-06 09:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-02-07 04:29 am (UTC)(OMG plunny bit me - what if the person who broke it off took it home to use like a dildo!!)
no subject
Date: 2016-02-08 01:58 pm (UTC)