Apochthonius

J.C. Chamberlin, 1929

Apochthonius is a of pseudoscorpions in the Chthoniidae, first described by Chamberlin in 1929. The genus includes small, cryptic arachnids that inhabit moist microhabitats. At least one , A. minimus, has been studied for its predatory on springtails, demonstrating size-selective that can significantly affect prey .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apochthonius: //æpɒkˈθoʊniəs//

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Habitat

Moist litter patches in forest floor environments, based on association with prey .

Diet

on Collembola, specifically Folsomia candida (Isotomidae). A. minimus has been observed to prefer young springtails 0.8–1.2 mm in length when offered prey ranging 0.2–1.5 mm.

Behavior

Size-selective . During initial foraging periods, A. minimus has been observed to feed preferentially on larger prey individuals, including original and larger second- individuals of .

Ecological Role

of in small, moist litter patches. Size-selective can drive demographic shifts in prey populations, sometimes causing local extinction but in other cases resulting in increased prey production with decreased mean body size.

More Details

Predation dynamics

Research on A. minimus has demonstrated that effects on prey are context-dependent. In experimental conditions, half of treated populations went extinct, while surviving populations sometimes exceeded control population sizes due to demographic shifts caused by selective removal of larger individuals.