Pseudoscorpion
Guides
Anchigarypus californicus
Anchigarypus californicus is a pseudoscorpion species originally described by Nathan Banks in 1909 as Garypus californicus. The species has since been reclassified from Garypus to Anchigarypus based on morphological and taxonomic revisions. It belongs to the family Garypidae, a group of pseudoscorpions commonly found in coastal and intertidal habitats. The species is known from North America, with records primarily from California and surrounding regions.
Chelifer
Chelifer is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Cheliferidae, established in 1762. The genus is currently monotypic, containing only Chelifer cancroides, the house pseudoscorpion, which is the most widely distributed pseudoscorpion species globally. All other species originally described in Chelifer have been moved to other genera, synonymized, or designated as nomina dubia or nomina nuda. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including large setose tubercles on the carapace and specialized male genitalia structures.
Chernetidae
Chernetid Pseudoscorpions
Chernetidae is a large family of pseudoscorpions in the order Pseudoscorpiones, containing over 650 described species across 119 genera. Members are small arachnids lacking a tail and stinger, characterized by prominent pincer-like pedipalps. The family was established by Anton Menge in 1855. Many species inhabit subcortical environments beneath tree bark and are frequently documented engaging in phoresy—attaching to insects such as longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) for dispersal.
Cryptocreagris
Cryptocreagris is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Neobisiidae, subfamily Microcreagrinae. It was described by B. Curcic in 1984. Members of this genus are small arachnids characterized by features typical of the Microcreagrinae, including reduced trichobothrial patterns on the chelal fingers. The genus appears to be relatively poorly documented in scientific literature.
Cryptocreagris destica
Cryptocreagris destica is a species of pseudoscorpion in the family Neobisiidae, described in 2010 by Harvey and Muchmore. It belongs to the genus Cryptocreagris, which comprises small, cryptic pseudoscorpions. The species is known from North America. Like other pseudoscorpions, it is a tiny, non-venomous arachnid that uses its pedipalps to capture prey.
Dryobius sexnotatus
Six-banded Longhorn Beetle
Dryobius sexnotatus is a species of longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) and the sole member of its monospecific genus. It is endemic to North America. The species has been documented as a host for phoretic pseudoscorpions, which attach to adult beetles for dispersal.
Garypoidea
false scorpions
Garypoidea is a superfamily of pseudoscorpions (order Pseudoscorpiones) established by Simon in 1879. It comprises seven families and is classified within the infraorder Iocheirata. Members are small, arachnid predators characterized by their scorpion-like pincers and flattened bodies, lacking the stinging tail of true scorpions.
Garypus
Garypus is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Garypidae, comprising at least 20 described species. These arachnids are primarily restricted to seashore habitats, occupying supralittoral and littoral zones in tropical and subtropical regions. The genus was established by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1873 and shows highest diversity in the Indo-West Pacific region. Species-level taxonomy remains incompletely resolved, with many species known from single localities.
Illinichernes distinctus
Illinichernes distinctus is a species of pseudoscorpion in the family Chernetidae, first described by Hoff in 1949. Pseudoscorpions are small arachnids that superficially resemble true scorpions but lack a stinging tail and are typically less than 10 mm in length. Members of the family Chernetidae are among the most diverse and widespread of pseudoscorpion families. The species is known from limited records in North America and Middle America.
Iocheirata
Iocheirata is a suborder of pseudoscorpions (Order Pseudoscorpiones) established by Harvey in 1992. It represents one of two major lineages within the order, distinguished by the presence of venom glands in the pedipalpal chelae. The suborder encompasses the majority of pseudoscorpion diversity, containing numerous families distributed worldwide. Iocheirata pseudoscorpions are small arachnids, generally under 5 mm in body length, that inhabit a variety of terrestrial microhabitats.
Microbisium
Microbisium is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Neobisiidae, established by J. C. Chamberlin in 1930. The genus contains approximately 12 described species. These small arachnids are found in northern Europe, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Like other pseudoscorpions, they are predatory and typically inhabit moist, sheltered microhabitats.
Neobisiidae
neobisiid pseudoscorpions
Neobisiidae is a family of pseudoscorpions comprising approximately 550-750 species across 32-34 genera, distributed across Africa, the Americas, and Eurasia. Members are small arachnids ranging from 1 to 5 mm in body length, with body colors varying from reddish or dark brown through olive green to yellow or creamy white. The family includes both surface-dwelling and cave-dwelling species, with troglobitic species often exhibiting eye reduction or loss. Several genera, notably Stenohya, exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism in pedipalp morphology.
Parobisium
Parobisium is a genus of poorly dispersing pseudoscorpions in the family Neobisiidae. The genus exhibits a disjunct distribution pattern occurring in western North America and eastern Asia (East Asia), but is absent from Europe and central Asia. Phylogenetic evidence indicates ancient vicariance between East Asian and North American lineages rather than recent dispersal events. Many species are troglomorphic and restricted to karst cave systems.
Pselaphochernes distinctus
Pselaphochernes distinctus is a species of pseudoscorpion in the family Chernetidae. Pseudoscorpions are small, flattened arachnids that resemble true scorpions but lack a tail and stinger. Members of the genus Pselaphochernes are typically found in association with soil, leaf litter, or decaying organic matter in forested habitats. This species is part of a diverse group of pseudoscorpions that play roles as micro-predators in soil ecosystems.
Pseudogarypus
Pseudogarypus is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Pseudogarypidae, first described by Ellingsen in 1909. The genus includes both extant and extinct species, with at least four species known from Eocene fossils preserved in Baltic amber. Members of this genus are distinguished by distinctive morphological features including horn-like protrusions on the thorax and elongated chelae. The extinct species P. synchrotron was described in 2011 using synchrotron imaging to reveal details obscured by amber inclusions.
Pseudogarypus banksi
Pseudogarypus banksi is a species of pseudoscorpion in the family Pseudogarypidae, described by Jacot in 1938. It belongs to a small family of false scorpions characterized by their distinctive morphology among pseudoscorpion lineages. The species is documented from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited in available literature.
Syarinus
Syarinus is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Syarinidae, established by J. C. Chamberlin in 1925. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed across North America and Europe. Members of this genus are small arachnids belonging to the suborder Iocheirata, characterized by their venomous pedipalps used to capture prey.