Austrochernes imitans


Austrochernes imitans is a species of pseudoscorpion in the Chernetidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1969 by Austrian arachnologist Max Beier.

Description

The body length of males is 3.23–4.50 mm; that of females is 3.94–4.74 mm. The colour of the pedipalps and carapace is dark reddish-brown, legs red-brown, and abdomen pale yellow-brown. Eyes are absent.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs on the Nullarbor Plain and Hampton bioregions, in south-east Western Australia. The type locality is Dingo Cave, where pseudoscorpions were found on guano and decaying vegetation in the dark zone.

Behaviour

The pseudoscorpions are cave-dwelling, terrestrial predators.