Withiidae Chamberlin, 1931

Family

Chamberlin (1931) first recognized this group as a subfamily of the Cheliferidae, and was raised to family level by Weygoldt (1970). The enigmatic Philomaoriinae which consists of the Australasian genus Philomaoria, was removed from the Withiidae to the Cheliferidae by Harvey (1992).

Composition

Two subfamilies of withiids are currently recognized, Withiinae and Paragoniochernetinae. The Withiinae contain 31 genera placed in three tribes (Cacodemoniini, Juxtacheliferini, Protowithiini and Withiini), while the Paragoniochernetinae contain five genera.

Distribution

Withiids are found in many regions of the world but are most diverse in Africa and South America. They occur in leaf litter, under bark, and under stones. Withius piger is nearly cosmopolitan, primarily living in stored grain.

Important References

Harvey, M.S. (2004). Remarks on the New World pseudoscorpion genera Parawithius and Victorwithius, with a new genus bearing a remarkable sternal modification (Pseudoscorpiones, Withiidae). Journal of Arachnology 32: 436-456.

Mahnert, V. (1979d). Pseudoskorpione (Arachnida) aus dem Amazonas-Gebiet (Brasilien). Revue Suisse de Zoologie 86: 719-810.

References

Withiidae Chamberlin: Weygoldt, 1970a: 253; Muchmore, 1982a: 101-102; Harvey, 1985b: 154; Harvey, 1991a: 640; Gärdenfors and Wilander, 1992: 29; Harvey, 1992c: 1425.