Draculoides

Draculoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Schizomida
Family: Hubbardiidae
Genus: Draculoides
Harvey, 1992

Draculoides is a genus of troglobite arachnid endemic to North West Australia. Often mistaken for a spider, D. bramstokeri is a schizomid — a small, soil-dwelling invertebrate that walks on six legs and uses two modified front legs as feelers. It uses large fang-like pedipalps, or pincers, to grasp invertebrate prey and crunch it into pieces before sucking out the juices.

The genus was first described in 1992 by M.S. Harvey of the Western Australian Museum,[1] based on his earlier description of Schizomus vinei (Draculoides vinei).[2]

A second species was described 1995, Draculoides bramstokeri, based on specimens found at Barrow Island, Western Australia; the specific epithet honours Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula.[3] The allusion to this fictional character, a vampire, in the name of the genus is given for the method of consuming its prey.

The following is a list of species:[4]

  • Draculoides Harvey, 1992
    • Draculoides bramstokeri Harvey & Humphreys, 1995
    • Draculoides brooksi Harvey, 2001
    • Draculoides julianneae Harvey, 2001
    • Draculoides mesozeirus Harvey, Berry, Edward & Humphreys, 2008
    • Draculoides neoanthropus Harvey, Berry, Edward & Humphreys, 2008
    • Draculoides vinei (Harvey, 1988)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Draculoides Harvey, M. S. 1992. The Schizomida (Chelicerata) of Australia. Invertebrate Taxonomy 6: 77–129 [82].
  2. ↑ Harvey, M. S. 1988. A new troglobitic schizomid from Cape Range, Western Australia (Chelicerata: Schizomida). Records of the Western Australian Museum 14: 15–20 [16].
  3. ↑ Draculoides bramstokeri Harvey, M. S. & Humphreys, W. F. 1995. Notes on the genus Draculoides Harvey (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae), with the description of a new troglobitic species. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 52: 183–189 [185].
  4. ↑ Checklist for Draculoides Harvey, 1992 Australian Faunal Directory

Further reading

  • Burbidge, Andrew A (2004). "9. Invertebrates". Threatened animals of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. p. 151. ISBN 0-7307-5549-5. The North West Cape Karst Management Advisory Committee coordinates the conservation of threatened animals on the North West Cape peninsula.
  • "Draculoides Harvey, 1992". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
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