Austrochthonius cavicola

Austrochthonius cavicola is a species of pseudoscorpion in the Chthoniidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1968 by Austrian arachnologist Max Beier.[1][2]

Austrochthonius cavicola
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Pseudoscorpiones
Family: Chthoniidae
Genus: Austrochthonius
Species:
A. cavicola
Binomial name
Austrochthonius cavicola
Beier, 1968[1]

Description edit

The holotype male has a body length of 1.2 mm. It lacks eyes, and is pale brownish-yellow in colour.[1]

Distribution and habitat edit

The species occurs in south-eastern South Australia. The type (and only known) locality is Cathedral Cave, Naracoorte Caves National Park.[1][2]

Behaviour edit

The pseudoscorpions are cave-dwelling terrestrial predators.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Beier, M (1968). "Some cave-dwelling Pseudoscorpionidea from Australia and New Caledonia". Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide). 15: 757–765 [757].
  2. ^ a b c "Species Austrochthonius cavicola Beier, 1968". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2023-09-30.