Biology:Garypus titanius
Garypus titanius | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Pseudoscorpiones |
Family: | Garypidae |
Genus: | Garypus |
Species: | G. titanius
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Binomial name | |
Garypus titanius Beier, 1961[1]
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Garypus titanius, the giant pseudoscorpion, is the largest species of pseudoscorpion—small, scorpion-looking creatures—in the world. Critically endangered, it is restricted to Boatswain Bird Island, a small rocky island off Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.[2] Pseudoscorpions are venomous arachnids (a group that includes spiders, ticks, and scorpions) and are generally tiny—around 3 mm (.1 in) long.[3] The giant pseudoscorpion, though, can grow to five times that size at 11 mm (.5 in).[4] It lives among seabird colonies, feeding mainly at night on smaller prey such as insects.[5] It belongs to the Garypidae family.[6]
The giant pseudoscorpion is threatened by non-native insects and animals, such as mice. It has died out on the larger Ascension Island, a remote volcanic island and British overseas territory that was discovered in 1501.
References
- ↑ M. Beier (1961). "Pseudoscorpione von der Insel Ascension" (in German). Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 13th ser. 3: 593–598. doi:10.1080/00222936008651063.
- ↑ Caren George. "Endemic Invertebrates of Ascension Island". Ascension Island Government Conservation. Archived from the original on May 9, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100509081231/http://www.ascensionconservation.org.ac/pdf/35-O-Endemic-invertebrates-leaflet.pdf.
- ↑ Schembri, Patrick J.; Baldacchino, Alfred E. (2011) (in mt). Ilma, Blat u Hajja: Is-Sisien tal-Ambjent Naturali Malti. p. 66. ISBN 978-99909-44-48-8. http://www.bdlbooks.com/geography/3394-ilma-blat-u-hajja.html.
- ↑ "Pseudoscorpions". Agricultural Research Council. Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (South Africa). 2010. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120222035906/http://www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?PID=1&ToolID=63&ItemID=1769. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ↑ Wilkins, V.L., Knight, V. & Gray, A. 2019. Garypus titanius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T135739408A135745815. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T135739408A135745815.en. Accessed on 19 August 2022.
- ↑ "Garypus titanius (Beier, 1961)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=749117. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
Wikidata ☰ Q941194 entry