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Pseudoscorpions of the World |
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Last updated: 19 January 2009 |
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Version 1.2, 2009 |
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Family Chernetidae Menge 1855 |
History
The family Chernetidae was first created by Menge (1855) but it gained little acceptance until revalidated and redefined by Chamberlin (1931) and Beier (1932). Apart from the addition of numerous new taxa, the family has not significantly altered in extent since then, apart from Judson (1985) demonstrating that the Myrmochernetidae should be regarded as a synonym of Chernetidae.
Composition
The Chernetidae are a highly diverse family with over 650 species in more than 110 genera. Three subfamilies are recognized but their status and interrelationships are very poorly understood. Goniochernetinae (three genera) are defined by the shape of the posterior margin of the carapace and the Lamprochernetinae (eight genera) can be recognized by the morphology of the female spermathecae, which are T-shaped. The Chernetinae include the remainder of the family and its monophyly has never been demonstrated. Distribution
Chernetids are found all over the world, occurring under bark of trees, in leaf litter, in caves, as well as a variety of other habitats.
Important references
Beier, M. (1932e). Pseudoscorpionidea II. Subord. C. Cheliferinea. Tierreich 58: i-xxi, 1-294. Callaini, G. (1986c). Appunti su alcune specie italiane della famiglia Chernetidae Menge (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpionida). Notulae Chernetologicae XV. Bollettino del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Verona 11: 379-401. Muchmore, W.B. (1975d). Use of the spermathecae in the taxonomy of chernetid pseudoscorpions. In Proceedings of the 6th International Arachnological Congress: 17-20. Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam: Amsterdam. Vachon, M. (1951c). Les Pseudoscorpions de Madagascar. I. Remarques sur la famille des Chernetidae J.C. Chamberlin, 1931, a propos de la description d'une nouvelle espece: Metagoniochernes milloti. Mémoires de l'Institut Scientifique de Madagascar 5: 159-172. |
