Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Museums

Regional Maps

Superfamily CHELIFEROIDEA Westwood, 1838


Compiler and date details

Mark S. Harvey, Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Introduction

The Cheliferoidea is one of the most dominant of the pseudoscorpion groups, comprising nearly 1300 species in 226 genera and four families (Harvey 1991). It is one of the two superfamilies of the micro-order Elassommatina—the other being the Sternophoroidea (Harvey 1992). All four cheliferoid families are represented in the Australian fauna; the Chernetidae are the most diverse, with some 17 genera recognised.

 

Diagnosis

Members of the Cheliferoidea are distinguished from other pseudoscorpions by the presence of spermathecae in females, by having a complex spermatophore and, behaviourally, by having a mating dance.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
31-Oct-2012 31-Oct-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)