Pseudoscorpiones (pseudoscorpions)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Arthropoda > Arachnomorpha > Cheliceriformes > Chelicerata > Euchelicerata > Arachnida

Pseudoscorpion (less than 5 mm long) eating a collembolan. [image H. Robertson, Iziko ©]

Pseudoscorpions are tiny, most of which are less than 5 mm in length. They resemble the true scorpions but have no metasoma and sting. They have no book lungs and gas exchange takes place through a tracheal system. They are found in nests of ground-dwelling animals as well as in organic debris. They have poison glands in the pedipalps and when feeding, the prey is injected while they are grasped. 

Links

• Pseudoscorpion (Wikipedia)
• Harvey, M.S. (2011). Pseudoscorpions of the World, version 2.0. Western Australian Museum, Perth. http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/catalogues/pseudoscorpions

Publications

• Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S. & Harvey, M. 2000. A check list of the pseudoscorpions of South Africa (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones). Koedoe 43: 89-102.

Text by Norman Larsen ©.