Austrochernes dewae

Austrochernes dewae is a species of pseudoscorpion in the Chernetidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1967 by Austrian arachnologist Max Beier.

Description

Body lengths of males are 2.34–2.81 mm; those of females 2.51–3.05 mm. The colour of the pedipalps and carapace is deep reddish-brown, the abdomen and legs light yellowish-brown.

Distribution and habitat

The species has been recorded from various sites across Australia from the nests of hollow-nesting birds. The type locality is Brewarrina in northern New South Wales, where the holotype was found in a galah’s nest. The species has also been recorded from the nests of a sulphur-crested cockatoo in Far North Queensland, and in the nests of Carnaby's black cockatoos and a rufous treecreeper in south-west Western Australia.

Behaviour

The pseudoscorpions are terrestrial predators.