Post by shadowscythe18 on Mar 8, 2011 16:35:03 GMT 11
The newly-discovered pseudoscorpion kills prey with
venom-filled claws.
Summary: A newly-discovered species of pseudoscorpion has been
found in the dark caves of Yosemite National Park. Named Parobisium
yosemite, the tiny arachnid has eight spidery legs and an abdomen like a
spider, but it also has claws like a scorpion. Unlike real scorpions, this
creature lacks a long post-abdomen stinger but makes up for it by
possessing venom-filled claws. It is also blind, slow-moving and very
small, no longer than half an inch in length.
One of the main reasons the Parobisium yosemite hadn't been
discovered before now is that it is found only in dark granite caves,
unusual in that most species live in limestone caves where better
humidity and access to food makes the environment more hospitable.
James Cokendolpher, one of the researchers who documented the find,
said the animal had been trapped and "evolved" into its present form in
rubble that accumulated after a glacier "millions of years ago" created
the canyon where it was found.
Even though these predatory arachnids are harmless to humans, it is
nevertheless eerie to watch them hunt. "We kept them in petri dishes
with plaster of Paris that was moistened so it was more like cave
conditions," Cokendolpher explained. When the pseudoscorpion was
introduced to other animals in the petri dish it would go over and tap the
animal with its venom-filled claws. By doing so it was able to sense
chemical clues to help it identify the potential prey along with its size
and suitability for food.
venom-filled claws.
Summary: A newly-discovered species of pseudoscorpion has been
found in the dark caves of Yosemite National Park. Named Parobisium
yosemite, the tiny arachnid has eight spidery legs and an abdomen like a
spider, but it also has claws like a scorpion. Unlike real scorpions, this
creature lacks a long post-abdomen stinger but makes up for it by
possessing venom-filled claws. It is also blind, slow-moving and very
small, no longer than half an inch in length.
One of the main reasons the Parobisium yosemite hadn't been
discovered before now is that it is found only in dark granite caves,
unusual in that most species live in limestone caves where better
humidity and access to food makes the environment more hospitable.
James Cokendolpher, one of the researchers who documented the find,
said the animal had been trapped and "evolved" into its present form in
rubble that accumulated after a glacier "millions of years ago" created
the canyon where it was found.
Even though these predatory arachnids are harmless to humans, it is
nevertheless eerie to watch them hunt. "We kept them in petri dishes
with plaster of Paris that was moistened so it was more like cave
conditions," Cokendolpher explained. When the pseudoscorpion was
introduced to other animals in the petri dish it would go over and tap the
animal with its venom-filled claws. By doing so it was able to sense
chemical clues to help it identify the potential prey along with its size
and suitability for food.
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