OBSERVATIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND BIOLOGY OF SCHIZOMUS VINEI (CHELICERATA SCHIZOMIDA) FROM CAPE RANGE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract: The chelicerata order Schizomida is known in Western Australia by a single species, Schizumus vinei Harvey 1988, from only two caves (Dry Swallet and Shot Pot) in the semiarid Cape Range on the North West Cape peninsula. About 60 of the 120 caves known in Cape Range have been examined for fauna but most are too dry to support cavernicoles. The number of S. vinei seen in caves was low and the population comprised predominantly immature individuals. They were confined to areas where the relative humidity exceeded 90%. Following exceptionally heavy rainfall the chambers flooded to a depth of 27 m after which no adult schizomids were seen for three weeks or juveniles for three months. The environment and microclimate of the area are described, together with observations on the biology of the schizomids and their associated fauna.