Seven pseudoscorpion species believed to be new to science have been discovered by our Head of Department and Curator (Arachnids and Myriapods) Dr Mark Harvey on a Bush Blitz expedition in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The discovery was made at Charnley River Station, an Australian Wildlife Conservancy property, and at Wunaamin Conservation Park.

As the name suggests, pseudoscorpions are not actually scorpions. Although they share resemblances such as having eight legs and pincers, pseudoscorpions have a pear-shaped body and no tail. These little arachnids which measure around three to eight millimetres in length look like a cross between a spider, scorpion, and tick.

You can find them under the bark of trees, logs, and rocks, and there are also cave dwelling species where they have lost their eyes.

This discovery is significant because the seven species are believed to be new to science and further research around them will contribute to better understanding of the biology and distribution of pseudoscorpions.

Dr Mark Harvey said he often finds new species on expeditions he attends but it was unexpected to find seven pseudoscorpion species which is a great bonus to the Western Australian Museum Collection.

“Finding new species like pseudoscorpions, or any new species, is really exciting but then the hard work begins. Turning the discovery into a written, published description of the new species in a scientific journal can take months, sometimes years to document,”

“Our work has only just begun, and even though it is terribly exciting, the next stage would be to think of a scientific name for each new species, publish it in a journal, and only then will the new species will be valid.” Dr Harvey said.

Further research will be conducted on these exciting species.