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Like the Neobisioidea, members of this group are usually diplotarsate, and they are included in the suborder Diplosphyronida by many authors. The margin of the movable cheliceral finger is generally smooth, but a single (sometimes subdivided) subapical lobe is present at the distal end. The plates of the serrula interior are fused into a membranous velum at the proximal end. A laminal seta is present on the fixed finger of the chelicera. The subterminal setae of the pedal tarsi are simple and acute. The carapace may be rectangular, or more or less triangular, as viewed from above. The chelicerae are less than half as long as the carapace. Both fingers of the palpal chela are usually provided with a functional venom apparatus. The abdominal tergites and sternites may be divided or undivided. The vestitural setae may be acuminate or dentate. Usually, four eyes are present.
This superfamily is mainly tropical and subtropical in distribution, with only a few members inhabiting temperate regions. They are found in litter, under bark, and in debris at the seashore. Some are tiny, but many are moderately large; included here are the known pseudoscorpions of the genus Garypus (Garypidae).
Four families are placed here: Garypidae, Olpiidae, Menthidae, and Pseudogarypidae.
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OLPIIDAE
Most members have a rectangular carapace, as viewed from above, and four eyes. The abdomen is usually long and ovate, with the tergites and sternites either divided or undivided. The pleural membranes are usually smoothly, longitudinally striate. The body surfaces are usually smooth. The setae of the body and appendages are usually long and acuminate. The venom apparatus is well-developed in both fingers of the palpal chela. The number of trichobothria on the chela is occasionally fewer than the usual 12, as in the Solinellus, which has five on the fixed finger and two on the movable finger. The palpal femur often has one or two trichobothria on the dorsum. The legs are all diplotarsate, and the femora of legs III and IV short and stout.
The family is mainly tropical and subtropical in distribution, with a few genera, such as Pseudogarypinus, ranging well into temperate areas. Species range in size from tiny to moderately large. They are found in litter, under rocks, and beneath bark; many such as Minniza, live in extremely arid regions, although others, such as Olpiolum, inhabit rain forests.
There are 2 subfamilies: Olpiinae, with about 30 genera; and Garypininae, with about 20.
MENTHIDAE
Small family with several unique characteristics. The carapace is rectangular and longer than broad. There are two or four eyes. The abdomen is elongate, with undivided tergites and sternites. The carapace and coxae of the palpi of the legs I and II are heavily sclerotized, whereas the abdomen and coxae of legs III and IV are only weakly sclerotized. There is a unique joint between the coxae of legs II and III, at the level of the posterior margin of the carapace; it apparently allows the body to bend easily at this point. The hand and fixed finger of the palpal chela have 11 or 12 trichobothria rather than the usual 8. The venom apparatus is developed only in the fixed finger. The legs are all diplotarsate, and the femora of legs III and IV short and stout.
These rather small pseudoscorpions, only about 2 mm in length, are found under stones in dessert areas. There are 3 known genera; Menthus, from the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Australia; Oligomenthus, from Argentina and Chile; and Paramenthus, from Israel.
PSEUDOGARYPIDAE
This family comprises just 2 genera, which differ only in small details. Although they share many characters with other garypoids, they are monotarsate in all stages, a condition which has led some taxonomists to place them, along with the Feaellidae, in the Monosphyronida. They are specially characterized by having distinct protuberances or horns at the anterolateral margins of the carapace. Four strongly corneate eyes are present. The posterolateral margins of the carapace are produced posteriorly and ventrally as lateral alae. The abdomen is broad and flat, with most of the tergites and sternites divided; often there are small, separate sclerites in the pleural membranes. The chelicera is less than half as long as the carapace. The palpal chela apparently lacks a venom apparatus in either finger. The fixed chelal finger has two small, accessory trichobothria near the tip. Legs I and II are not much different in form from legs III and IV; all legs have the telofemur freely movable on the basifemur; the coax of leg I has a group of spinous processes near the medial margin.
The 2 recognized genera are: Pseudogarypus, with representatives across the northern United States and in the Rocky Mountains; and Neopseudogarypus, from Tasmania. They are found in litter and often beneath or among rocks. A couple of species are cavernicolous; but are not greatly modified. | |
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