The Australian fauna is known throughout the world as a storehouse of exotic species and it is always possible to find another species there. While traveling around the country, local researcher Mark Harvey stumbled upon two new specimens of false scorpions, also known as “fake scorpions.”
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The species is part of the new genus mystification The two new representatives were baptized E. Barnaby i and E disagrees. Four adult male specimens were found in Victoria, eastern Australia. The discovery was led by a biologist from the University of Western Australia and published on Friday (5/12) in the scientific journal Australian Journal of Zoology.
Both species are found living as hosts in the fur of wild bats that feed on insects. E. Barnaby i He was “hosting” in false oriental bipistrel poetry (Pseudo-Tasmanian), while E disagrees Lived in the southern forest bats (Vespadillus Regulus).
After the young animals were removed from the bat’s fur, they were analyzed using microscopes. Although they are a new species, it is not yet known whether false scorpions are in danger of extinction or not.
“The conservation status of both species is difficult to estimate mystification Without accurate knowledge of the specificity of their host and environment. “If they are indeed restricted to individual bat species, which is a reasonable assumption, their fate is closely linked to their host,” the researcher wrote in the article.
What are false scorpions?
False scorpions have a pair of pincers similar to those of true scorpions, but do not have the long tail and stinger characteristic of the venomous creature. In fact, the false scorpion belongs to the spider group.
Even with their somewhat frightening appearance, the animals are harmless. In general, they attach themselves to beetles, flies or mammals to move around, because they do not have wings. Along the way, they can seize the opportunity to feed on potential host pests, such as mites and caterpillars. The behavior is known as phoresy.
Upon reaching the desired destination, he leaves and continues his independent life until he finds another host to “travel” around.
Although they are a common group in the global ecosystem, the discovery is rare because it is very difficult to find new false scorpions due to their small size and habit of hiding in the bodies of other animals.
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