New species of Australian pseudoscorpions found living on insect-eating bats

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-12-05 00:01

Australia; WA

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Two new species of Australian pseudoscorpions have been found living on the fur of wild insect-eating bats, according to an Aussie researcher, who analysed pseudoscorpion specimens from Australian museum collections which had been taken from wild bats. The researcher identified the pseudoscorpions as belonging to a new genus, which they have called Enigmachernes, and have named the new species E. parnabyi and E. dissidens. Pseudoscorpions are small arachnids that superficially resemble scorpions with a pair of scorpion-like pincers; however, they lack the long tail and sting that are characteristic of traditional scorpions.