Austinochernes andrewaustini explained

Austinochernes andrewaustini is a species of pseudoscorpion in the Chernetidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2021 by Australian arachnologist Mark Harvey. The specific epithet andrewaustini honours Professor Andy Austin.[1]

Description

The body length of the male holotype is 2.87 mm; that of female paratypes 2.66–2.82 mm. The colour of the pedipalps, coxae and carapace is deep red-brown, the legs yellow-brown.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in south-eastern Australia. The type locality is the summit of Mount Barker in the Mount Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide, where the holotype was collected from beneath a rock, with ants. The species has also been recorded from Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges, 40 km east of Melbourne.[1]

Behaviour

The pseudoscorpions are terrestrial predators.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Species Austinochernes andrewaustini Harvey, 2021 . . 2023-10-09. Australian Faunal Directory . Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia . 2023-11-06.