A pseudoscorpion clinging to a cave salamander: phoresy or failed predation?

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  A pseudoscorpion clinging to a cave salamander: phoresy or failed predation? Abstract Pseudoscorpions are well known for phoretic associations with arthropods, but interactions with amphibians are rarely documented. Here we report a pseudoscorpion attached to the left palpebral region of an adult male Italian cave salamander, Speleomantes italicus , observed during a visual survey in a karst cave in Tuscany, Italy. The pseudoscorpion, assigned on the basis of visible morphology and locality to Chthonius cf. elongatus , was grasping a minute cutaneous fold on the lower margin of the left upper eyelid with one chela while the salamander moved slowly over the rock surface. No handling was performed and the initial contact between the two animals was not observed. The event therefore cannot be interpreted unambiguously, but may represent opportunistic phoresy or defensive attachment following a failed predation attempt. To our knowledge, this is the first published observation of a ...

New georeferenced records of Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) for state of Mato Grosso, midwestern Brazil

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New georeferenced records of Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) for state of Mato Grosso, midwestern Brazil

Abstract

We present additional records of Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) for the state of Mato Grosso, midwestern Brazil. The record of this scorpion species, which can cause mild to severe envenomation, significantly contributes to the knowledge of scorpionism in the state, as well as to the mapping of its distribution in the Brazilian territory. A morphologically similar species is abundant in the area - Tityus confluens Borelli, 1899 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), also presenting a general uniform yellow coloration - but is usually responsible for less severe scorpion accidents. The correct identification of both species by health agents and the general population may be relevant for the appropriate treatment of local scorpion sting cases.

Ribeiro Junior, J. M., Pazóti, P. M., Schneider, M. C., Carvalho, M. A., & Strüssmann, C. (2025). Novos registros georeferenciados de Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) para o estado do Mato Grosso, centro-oeste do Brasil. Entomological Communications, 7, ec07024. https://doi.org/10.37486/2675-1305.ec07024