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 records of the camel spider Antillotrecha iviei Armas, 2002 from Anguilla, Lesser Antilles (Solifugae: Ammotrechidae)

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New records of the camel spider Antillotrecha iviei Armas, 2002 from Anguilla, Lesser Antilles (Solifugae: Ammotrechidae)

Abstract
Antillotrecha iviei Armas, 2002, previously thought to be restricted to Sombrero Island, is confirmed to be present on Anguilla Island, based on material of both sexes collected by the senior author in early 2025. Adults of both sexes are described and illustrated, with comparison against previously reported material.

Sherwood, Danniella & De Armas, Luis & Mukhida, Farah & Connor, Rhon. (2025). New records of the camel spider Antillotrecha iviei Armas, 2002 from Anguilla, Lesser Antilles (Solifugae: Ammotrechidae). Revista Ibérica de Aracnología. 47. 139-142.