Marachernes bellus

Marachernes bellus is a species of pseudoscorpion in the Chernetidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1992 by Australian arachnologist Mark Harvey. The specific epithet bellus refers to the species’ beauty.

Description

The body length of males is 2.74–3.14 mm; that of females 2.99–3.34 mm. The colour is mainly yellow-brown, with the carapace, pedipalps and legs dark red-brown.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in south-western Victoria and in Tasmania. The type locality is Separation Creek in the Otway Ranges, where the pseudoscorpions were found beneath eucalypt bark in association with colonies of Iridomyrmex ants.

Behaviour

The pseudoscorpions are terrestrial predators.