On the natural history and ecology of Pseudoscorpiones (Arachnida) from an Amazonian blackwater inundation forest

Abstract

The habitats and changes in habitat of 20 pseudoscorpion species in response to up to six months forest inundation are presented. The fauna is divided into 16 nonmigrating and 4 migrating species (2 terricolous and 2 arboricolous species). Adaptations of life-cycle to forest flooding and seasonal tree trunk migration are discussed for Tyrannochthonius amazonicus, T. migrans (Chthoniidae), Brazilatemnus browni (Miratemnidae) and Pachyolpium irmgardae (Olpiidae) based on data from trunk traps (arboreal photo-eclectors), emergence traps on the forest floor (ground photo-eclectors), soil extraction (KEMPSON method), canopy fogging (pyrethrum method) and the collection of epiphytes