Chthoniidae spp.

Chthoniidae spp.

Pseudoscorpiones Present on Lewis & Clark College Campus

Chthoniidae is one of several families of pseudoscorpion that is relatively understudied. Normally, pseudoscorpions are found in leaf litter, caves, under tree bark and within decaying materials which can mostly be found on Lewis & Clark College campus. Due to their small size, understanding their ecological role is difficult and their true impact is still largely unknown. It is known that pseudoscorpions are between 0.5-10mm. They have pedipalps similar in shape and function to true scorpions, but lack the telson and stinger altogether. This is one of several areas to pay significant attention to when it comes to species identification. One of the key characteristics often used is the tip of the pedipalp. The setae present on the chela and tarsus vary greatly between species. In addition, some other distinguishable key features are the shape and coloration of the abdomen; the length, shape and color of the chela; and the position and shape of the eyes. This collection contains Chthoniidae specimens collected on Lewis & Clark College campus in Portland, OR.

Anya Jacquez '18
Kate Saylor '19
Amy Trivelpiece '19

Canadian Journal of Arthropods