Parobisium yosemite
{{Short description|Species of pseudoscorpion}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| image =
| genus = Parobisium
| species = yosemite
| authority = Cokendolpher & Krejca, 2010
}}
Parobisium yosemite, or the Yosemite cave pseudoscorpion, is a species of pseudoscorpion in the family Neobisiidae.{{ITIS |id=1125991|taxon=Parobisium yosemite}} A troglobite, the pseudoscorpion inhabits talus caves, formed by voids between boulders, in Yosemite National Park.{{cite web |title=Pseudoscorpion: Unique to Yosemite – Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/pseudoscorpion.htm |website=www.nps.gov |publisher=U.S National Park Service |access-date=21 July 2024 |language=en}}
Distribution
The species is endemic to granite talus caves in Yosemite National Park in California, United States.{{cite journal |last1=Cokendolpher |first1=James C. |last2=Krejca |first2=Jean K. |title=A new cavernicolous Parobisium Chamberlin 1930 (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae) from Yosemite National Park, U.S.A |journal=KIP Articles |series=Occasional papers |date=30 September 2010 |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.156953 |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6787&context=kip_articles |access-date=21 July 2024 |publisher=Museum of Texas Tech University}} The type specimens were found in two caves less than {{convert|0.5|km|mi}} within a single scree. As the talus caves it inhabits are likely only a few hundred years old, it is thought that the pseudoscorpions migrate between different talus slopes and caves.
Description
Like other troglofauna,{{cite journal |author=Phil Chapman |title=The Origins of Troglobites |journal=Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelæological Society |year=1982 |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=133–141 |url=http://www.ubss.org.uk/resources/proceedings/vol16/UBSS_Proc_16_2_133-141.pdf }} P. yosemite is blind with absent posterior eyes and a lack of a tapetum lucidum, and displays unusual pigmentation. The pseudoscorpion is potentially the first North American troglobite documented in a talus cave.
Ecology
P. yosemite has been observed preying on Sinella springtails. It may also potentially prey on other invertebrates in its cave environment, including mites, spiders, beetles and ants.
Etymology
The species' namesake is Yosemite National Park.
References
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External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSj2uXbfKhY Yosemite's Own Pseudoscorpion ]
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Category:Animals described in 2010
Category:Arachnids of North America
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