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AH_Male Harvestman Opiliones guarding mud nest Costa Rica_8688.jpg
A male harvestman {Opiliones} in his mud nest constucted on the side of a fallen rainforest tree. Females actively court the male in his nest where they mate and deposit eggs. Eggs from several different females may be deposited in the nest. The male then guards the eggs from predators such as ants and keeps it clean, eating fungal hypae that could threaten the eggs. Central Caribbean foothills, Costa Rica. May.