External Morphological Properties of Atemnus politus (Simon, 1878) (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones): A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

Pseuodoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) have been little studied, although they are the third largest group in the Arachnida in number of species. Pseudoscorpions have features resembling those of true scorpions. Due to their small size (the largest pseudoscorpion being no larger than 1 cm) systematic s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEntomological news Vol. 129; no. 3; pp. 257 - 266
Main Authors Öcal, İlkay Çorak, Kayhan, Nazife Yiğit, Öcal, Hilal Sağlam
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published American Entomological Society 29.10.2020
Subjects
Arachnida
chelicerae
pedipalpus
Pseudoscorpion
scanning electron microscope (SEM)
stereo microscope
walking leg
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Summary:Pseuodoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) have been little studied, although they are the third largest group in the Arachnida in number of species. Pseudoscorpions have features resembling those of true scorpions. Due to their small size (the largest pseudoscorpion being no larger than 1 cm) systematic studies have proven difficult. A high-performance microscope is necessary for detailed studies. In the present study, the pseudoscorpion Atemnus politus (Simon, 1878) collected in Osmaniye province, Turkey, was used to describe systematic and taxonomic characters, including chelicerae, pedipalps, walking legs, and cuticular structures on appendages using stereo light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study revealed characteristic features of this species. This is the first SEM study of A. politus and provides an important contribution to understanding the morphology of pseudoscorpions and demonstrates the taxonomic value of SEM micrographs. Probable functions of some of the structures observed are discussed.
ISSN:0013-872X
2162-3236
DOI:10.3157/021.129.0304